UPDATE: Bishop Duncan responds:
Dear Katharine,
Here I stand. I can do no other. I will neither compromise the Faith once delivered to the saints, nor will I abandon the sheep who elected me to protect them.
Pax et bonum in Christ Jesus our Lord,
+Bob Pittsburgh
BB NOTE: What we're wondering at our table is why this is being played out in the press. Usually when letters are written and released to the press, it is for other reasons than just swapping howdies. Schori was deposed (legal style) and the next thing we know, she's written this letter to Bob Duncan, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and convener of the Anglican Communion Network threatening him with "civil suits and possible expulsion as bishop." We must realize that it's all over now, baby blue. Threats come at the end. God bless you, Bishop Duncan. Perhaps this is a good time to quote Bishop Millar, for what he said is applicable to you as to anyone:
‘‘I don’t need to remind you that there is a war on for the very soul of the Church. But your courage, if I may say this, humbly, and your steadfastness in the face of a new and speciously sophisticated manifestation of evil has won you many admirers all over the world.’’ -Bishop Sandy Millar, Diocese of LondonHere's Steve Levin's article:
Episcopal leader warns bishop about expulsion
The head of the Episcopal Church has warned Pittsburgh Bishop Robert W. Duncan Jr. that he will face civil suits and possible expulsion as bishop if a proposed resolution enabling the diocese to leave the denomination passes during today's diocesan convention.
A diocesan spokesman said the letter from Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, sent by fax to the Pittsburgh Diocese office late Wednesday, was "intended, honestly, to intimidate the convention."
The 142nd annual convention is being held today and tomorrow in Johnstown.
The presiding bishop's letter said she was aware of Bishop Duncan's "statements and actions in recent months" that demonstrated his intention to help his diocese leave the Episcopal Church. Those efforts, the letter said, "display a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship between The Episcopal Church and its dioceses."
"If your course does not change," the letter continued, "I shall regrettably be compelled to see that appropriate canonical steps are promptly taken to consider whether you have abandoned the Communion of this Church ... and ... whether you have committed canonical offenses that warrant disciplinary action."
Bishop Jefferts Schori said she plans to send similar letters to the bishops of other dioceses who are either considering or are already in the process of leaving the Episcopal Church.
Bishop Duncan declined comment, saying through his spokesman that he would address the presiding bishop's letter today at the convention.
Read the whole thing here.
1 comment:
Looking at the smirk on Mrs. Schori's face all I can observe is smugness, arrogance, and contempt. I suppose that the book on which she is leaning is the Canons of the Episcopal Church, surely it isn't the Bible.
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