Diocese of Pittsburgh: Resolution One Approved
If approved again in November 2008, changes would allow for realignment

142nd Annual Convention
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
November 2, 2007

Clergy and deputies to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh’s 142nd Annual Convention strongly approved a resolution that begins the process of amending the diocesan constitution. If the amendment passes a second reading, slated for November of 2008, a future diocesan convention would be able to realign the diocese to another province of The Anglican Communion if it so chose.

Deputies voted 118 to 58 with one abstention to approve the change. Clergy voted 109 to 24 in favor. An effort to instead return the diocese to full “accession” to The Episcopal Church was defeated by voice vote.

“This vote does not change the diocese’s current affiliation with The Episcopal Church. In fact, nothing at all changes until such a time as the next annual convention approves a second reading of the proposed amendment,” said Bishop Robert Duncan.

If the second reading is also approved, the constitutional change will secure for the diocese the right to realign with another province of The Anglican Communion. Exercising that right would require a separate vote at the time of the second reading of the constitutional change, or by a future diocesan convention, preceded by serious discussions with any province that might receive the diocese.

With a strong mandate after the vote on the first reading, the next year will be spent working through the details of what would be involved in realigning the diocese with another province of the Anglican Communion. Approving this motion, said Bishop Duncan in his convention address “signifies an intention, gives warning, and introduces a period of preparation for anticipated consequences.”

Over the coming year, said Bishop Duncan, the diocese will need to determine which province it might realign with, develop acceptable options for congregations unwilling to realign, and negotiate with the Episcopal Church nationally and others locally about a mediated alternative to continuing or escalating legal battles.

“We have much work ahead of us, not the least of which is to walk through this time with grace and charity to all,” said Bishop Duncan.

This article comes from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
http://www.pgh.anglican.org/

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