By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
9/19/2009
At precisely 3:15pm on Thursday Sept. 18, the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan suffered a bloodless execution and his body was dumped out of The Episcopal Church. The House of Bishops meeting in Salt Lake City gave the Evangelical catholic bishop the heave-ho by a vote of 87 to 36 with four abstentions.
The canons required the 148 bishops vote in favor of deposition. Bishop Robert Duncan became a martyr for the cause of Christ and the historic Christian Faith.
There was no trial. He had already been declared guilty by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and all she wanted was a ratification of her verdict. She got it. Debate ran strongly in her favor, as expected, and the few voices raised in opposition were politely heard but blown off. This also was no surprise. She has been gunning for his ouster for over two years.
But Jefferts Schori will not get off that lightly. Her actions will seal the deal that there is no future for orthodox Episcopalians in The Episcopal Church.
Messages of support pour in from around the world for Bishop Duncan.
From archbishops Greg Venables (under whom Bishop Duncan now serves) (Southern Cone), The Most Rev Drexel Gomez (West Indies), and The Most Rev Benjamin Nzimbi (Kenya) came word that were grieved at the violation of catholic order in the actions of the HOB and promptly declared the deposition "invalid".
Rwanda Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini echoed similar sentiments saying, "I am reminded of Joseph's words to his brothers that are recorded in Genesis. 'But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good....' (Genesis 50 : 20a, New King James Version). May this also be true for Bishop Duncan as he continues his faithful service to God and the Church."
Also offering support was Archbishop Mouneer Anis of Jerusalem and the Middle East. "It is with great joy that I welcome you alongside the ranks of St. Athanasius who, as Bishop of Alexandria, was deposed and exiled from his see. St. Athanasius did not waver and stood firm. History proved that his stance for orthodoxy was not in vain. I trust it will do the same for you! So please count it as honor my brother."
The American Anglican Council (AAC) said it stood in full support of Duncan in spite of the Episcopal Church's (TEC) attempt to depose him for "abandonment of communion." He is a bishop in good standing in the Anglican Communion as a member of the House of Bishops of the Province of the Southern Cone and as the moderator of the Common Cause Partnership, wrote Bishop David C. Anderson, CEO of the AAC.
"Bishop Duncan has earned a place on the AAC's 'wall of honor' along with more than 100 clergy who have been deposed by TEC for upholding the historic Christian faith."
Bishop John W. Howe wrote, "Bob Duncan is my friend, and Pittsburgh was my Diocese from 1972 to 1976. Bob and I have not always agreed, but we have been on the same side of most of the 'issues,' and I believe him to be a fearless and courageous contender for the Faith. I believe this is a very sad day for the Church, and I find myself in mourning."
Bishop Jack Iker of Fort Worth said, "In spite of the sham deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan by the House of Bishops, he remains the formidable leader of traditional Episcopalians and loyal Anglicans in North America. Bishop Duncan continues to have the respect of a majority of the primates and bishops of the entire Anglican Communion, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. In an effort to silence him, the House of Bishops has only given him greater creditability as the leader of the realignment movement."
Bishop Keith L. Ackerman SSC, President of Forward in Faith North America and Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy, another diocese that will undoubtedly pull out of TEC before years' end, commented, "The deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh is a very sad day for the Episcopal Church and consequently the worldwide Anglican Communion. The way in which this was executed is contrary to everything that was discussed at the Lambeth Conference. The initial reactions to this deposition by worldwide Anglican leaders indicate how deep the wound has become. This action leaves me speechless and drives me to my knees."
The Chairman of FiF International, John Fulham reacted to the deposition of Duncan by calling the act "deplorable". His summary deposition shows scant respect for due process and calls into question both the political wisdom and Christian charity of the Presiding Bishop, he said.
A confidential source told VOL that at least one Global South Primate said very recently that 'if "Bob Duncan is deposed, I will never sit at table with Katherine Schori again.
This is the last straw off the camel's back in terms of meetings of the Anglican Communion." Even "inside strategists" at The Anglican Communion Institute wrote to say they received favorably the news that considerable canonical discussion took place by as many as 36 Bishops in yesterday's proceedings.
It is significant that over a quarter of the House of Bishops (including the probable votes of those not present, it would be close to a third) voted against this deposition, many apparently on the basis that the Presiding Bishop and her supporters were overturning the constitutional and canonical foundations of the church on this matter.
The legitimacy of the House's action and the Presiding Bishop's leadership has been placed in serious question before the eyes of the Communion and the larger public. No one should minimize the role this may play in the unfolding re-establishment of the Communion's common life."
Remain Faithful, an organization of over 900 orthodox Anglican and Episcopal laity who collectively have been members of the Church for over 38,500 years, commended Duncan for his faithfulness and then ripped Jefferts Schori saying, "We condemn the Presiding Bishop and House of Bishops of TEC for their illegal and unchristian actions.
Their stance is a clear one - they will not stop at promoting their revisionist agenda regardless of the cost to our Church here - or across the broader Anglican Communion.
"Their secular mission is equally clear - to try and take property from the very individuals and parishes who built and paid for their property with no assistance whatsoever from TEC. We are lifted up, however, with the knowledge that the damage they have done to His Church will not last - as we who stand for the historic faith will emerge stronger and our mission to spread the Gospel will be strengthened.
"The 'silent majority' are now awakened and rising up out of the pews to reform our Church. Thank you for your courageous leadership and example you provide all toward that end.
"We call on the Primates of the Anglican Communion and the Archbishop of Canterbury to condemn the actions of the Presiding Bishop and the House of Bishops."
Bishop Duncan's "execution" all but seals the fate of orthodoxy in The Episcopal Church. In two short months, the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Quincy and Ft. Worth will vote to leave. There is little doubt now how they will vote.
The Diocese of San Joaquin has already gone. They have seen the ecclesiastical Dominatrix of 815 Second Avenue at work. While the National Church has a vaunted $10 billion at its disposal, not all the money in the world can or will stop the hemorrhaging of The Episcopal Church.
Furthermore, VOL has learned that there may well be civil litigation about the "deposition" brought against Jefferts Schori and the HOB. This story is far from over.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the one person we have not heard from at this time. His silence is deafening. One would not expect a positive word for Duncan from the Anglican Consultative Council, as TEC pays most of their bills.
When the Primates meet with the ABC next year, it will be a different story. They will be on the offensive. The ABC and the liberal Primates will be put on the defensive.
END
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