18
September 2007
Bishop
Bob Duncan deposed
Bishop Bob Duncan was deposed by the
Episcopal Church House of Bishops today. David Virtue reports
that, by a vote of 87 to 36, the bishops elected to depose the highly regarded
orthodox bishop – despite multiple glaring violations of church canons
thorough-out the disposition process.
“The repeated and arbitrarily violation of TEC’s own canons
by the Presiding Bishop and now endorsed by the House of Bishops, is
scandalous,” states Bishop Don. “I have the highest regard for Bishop Bob, as
do most leaders and Primates in the Anglican Communion. By this lawless
act, denying justice to a godly bishop and global orthodox leader, TEC has
shown its true colours for the entire Communion to see.”
Immediately following the house of bishops’ vote, the
Diocese of Pittsburgh standing committee issued a
statement saying:
We are
profoundly disappointed by this action, and view it as yet another tragic
rejection of the historic faith of our diocese and the majority consensus of
the Anglican Communion. We continue to believe that the House of Bishops
has clearly misapplied and misinterpreted the canons…
In
light of this unfair and improper action to “depose” our bishop, we now assume
our responsibility under the canons to be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the
Episcopal Diocese of
We
understand that Bishop Duncan has been received as a member in good standing of
the House of Bishops of the Province of the Southern Cone. We rejoice at
this news.
The
Standing Committee asks that the clergy and people of Pittsburgh pray for the
Duncans, the diocesan staff and the elected leadership of the diocese in the
days ahead. We stand firmly on the promise of Holy Scripture found in
Romans 8:28. "We know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
A Diocese
of Pittsburgh news release
quoted Archbishop Greg Venables as saying:
“As was
resolved by resolution made at the Provincial Synod in Valparaiso last November
2007, we are happy to welcome Bishop Duncan into the Province of the Southern
Cone as a member of our House of Bishops, effective immediately. Neither
the Presiding Bishop nor the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church has any
further jurisdiction over his ministry. We pray for all Anglicans
in Pittsburgh as they consider their own relationship with The
Episcopal Church in the coming weeks.”
The news
release also said:
The
action of the House of Bishops, which was taken in a closed meeting on
September 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah, contravenes numerous canons of The
Episcopal Church. While Bishop Duncan continues to believe that the
"deposition" is unlawful, he will not challenge the
"deposition" prior to the end of the diocese’s October 4
convention unless forced to do so by the leadership of The Episcopal Church.
On
October 4, diocesan convention deputies will consider the second reading of a
constitutional change that would realign the diocese with the Province of the
Southern Cone. With the passage of that constitutional change, the
diocese will be free to welcome Bishop Duncan back as its bishop. In the
meantime, under the diocese’s governing documents, the standing committee will
serve as the diocese’s ecclesiastical authority.
PLEASE
CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE OF THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH.
Marilyn Jacobson
Anglican Network in Canada communications
604 929-0369 OR 1-866-351-2642 ext 4020
Cell: 604 788-4222