PROGRESSIVE EPISCOPALIANS OF PITTSBURGH
6393 Penn Avenue, PMB 207
Pittsburgh, PA 15206-4010
Contact:
Kenneth Stiles, Vice President
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh
Telephone: +1 (412) 362-2112
E-mail: krstiles@acba.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Progressive Episcopalians See
Movement Toward More Stable Future
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — July 30, 2009 — According to Progressive
Episcopalians of Pittsburgh (PEP), events of July portend a period of greater
unity and stability for The Episcopal Church and one of greater clarity for
relations between the American church and the Anglican Communion.
Decisions at the recently concluded 76th General Convention of The Episcopal
Church and the overall mood of that meeting certainly gave rise to that hope. On
the issues that have been the most contentious within The Episcopal Church and
the Anglican Communion (the worldwide fellowship of churches of which it is a
member), the convention chose a middle path that was embraced by large
majorities in both the House of Bishops and House of Deputies. “Rather than
affirm or reject controversial actions taken at the previous General Convention
in 2006, the 2009 General Convention chose to respond with a resolution
accurately describing its current status and canons, while stressing its desire
to work with other members of the Anglican Communion,” said Joan R. Gundersen,
current president of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh and a deputy to the
General Convention.
Mary Roehrich, a PEP board member who also served as a deputy, pointed out that
even the resolution authorizing the collection of theological and liturgical
resources related to the blessing of same-sex partnerships included a requirement
to consult widely within the Anglican Communion. “What was most notable, however,
was the mood of the convention—its civility, its deliberate structuring of
sessions to ensure that all views were heard, and the welcome given to visiting
guests from elsewhere in the Anglican Communion,” Roehrich continued. “We
believe that the visitors left with a much better understanding of our church
that will lead to deeper ties.”
On the legal front, a consensus seems to be developing with court decisions in
Fresno, California, and Rock Island, Illinois, continuing a pattern of
decisions supporting the legal positions taken by The Episcopal Church that
property remains in The Episcopal Church when those dissatisfied with the church
choose to leave. “The summary judgment awarded to the Episcopal Diocese of San
Joaquin (California) is especially noteworthy because it is the first where a
judge has ruled in a case involving the purported withdrawal of an entire
diocese,” noted PEP vice president, Kenneth Stiles. The ruling not only
affirmed the right of The Episcopal Church to do whatever is necessary to
ensure a continuing body following a withdrawal of its leaders, but also ruled
that once a diocese had acceded to the constitution and canons of The Episcopal
Church, it was beyond the power of the diocese to alter its governing documents
in any way that would undo or limit the accession. Dioceses always have been
required to have an accession clause in their constitutions before being
admitted into The Episcopal Church.
“Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh is grateful that we in this diocese
are now able to focus on reconciliation and rebuilding. We see the role of PEP
especially as offering events designed to provide a deeper understanding of the
Episcopal tradition and a place to explore new ways to share Christian faith
through the medium of our church,” commented PEP’s other vice president, the
Rev. Diane Shepard. “We will also continue to offer support to those in
dioceses still troubled by unresolved tensions and share resources and
experience with those in the other three dioceses who are now rebuilding
following the withdrawal of diocesan leadership.”
Contact:
Kenneth Stiles, Vice President
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh
Telephone: +1 (412) 362-2112
E-mail: krstiles@acba.org
On the Web:
This document:
http://progressiveepiscopalians.org/html/2009-07-30future.html
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh:
http://progressiveepiscopalians.org
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh is an organization of clergy and
laypeople committed to the unity and diversity of The Episcopal Church, and of
the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. It is a member of the Via Media USA
alliance.
# # #