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PITTSBURGH: National Church "Response" Falls Short
From the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
November 30, 2006
The Episcopal News Service today released a proposal responding to the request by seven Episcopal dioceses for Alternative Primatial Oversight (APO). It suggests that a "primatial vicar" be appointed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to serve as her "designated pastor in such dioceses." The "primatial vicar" would be accountable to Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori and perform those functions she chooses to delegate, such as episcopal ordinations.
"We are heartened that the national leadership of The Episcopal Church has realized the time has come for structural change. We will study this proposal," said Bishop Robert Duncan, bishop of Pittsburgh and moderator of the Anglican Communion Network. "However, at first glance what is proposed is neither primatial, nor oversight, nor is it an alternative to the spiritual authority of one who, by both teaching and action, has expressly rejected the Windsor Report and its recommendations.
This is obviously not what was asked for." Bishop Duncan also observed that what is proposed is in fact less than what was offered and rejected at the first meeting held in New York during September.
Bishop Duncan reiterated his commitment to find a mediated solution to the crisis in The Episcopal Church. "We really do want to talk about all the issues. We want to protect everyone who is unable to travel down the path the majority of The Episcopal Church has clearly chosen, not just those in dioceses that have requested APO. We want to have this conversation and find a way forward that allows all of us to get on with our mission. We are committed to remaining in the mainstream of the Anglican Communion as we proclaim the faith once delivered to the saints," he said.
Bishop Jack Iker (Ft. Worth) wrote to his clergy. This is his statement: "While I am grateful for the efforts of those who crafted the proposal, I find it unacceptable and unworkable in its present form."
"Perhaps it needs to be clarified that we have not requested someone to serve as "the Presiding Bishop's designated pastor" to us; we have appealed for an alternative primate. Nor has this appeal been made to the Presiding Bishop, but to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates of the Anglican Communion. We expect a suitable response from them at the Primates' Meeting in February."
"This new proposal is deficient in that it seeks to reinforce the PB's authority over us rather than provide an acceptable alternative. We cannot accept a Primatial Vicar appointed by her and accountable to her, who "could" function for her only when so delegated by her. In addition, the provisional nature of the proposal does not meet our needs for a long-term solution to our irreconcilable differences."
The President of the American Anglican Council responds to the TEC proposal for a Primatial Vicar Thursday November 30th 2006
"The proposal does not take into account the heart of the issue and problem which is that Katharine Jefferts Schori has adopted a form of faith, theology and Christology that is so seriously out of step with historic Anglicanism and Christianity that it calls into question her capacity to give appropriate leadership on this matter. It keeps all the power in her hands. The proposal is to be in consultation with not the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Thus she makes all the decisions. It is a non-starter."
The full text of the proposal was made available through the Episcopal News Service. http://tinyurl.com/y2sljh
