Diocese of Pittsburgh publishes proposed canons and resolutions to leave the Episcopal Church for the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

The following three resolutions and proposed canon changes have been published by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in preparation for their 2008 Diocesan Convention later this year:

Resolutions to be Forwarded to the 143rd Diocesan Convention

RESOLUTION ONE

New Canon I (All subsequent Canons to be Renumbered Accordingly) Provincial Membership within the Anglican Communion
The Diocese of Pittsburgh shall be a member of that Province of the Anglican Communion known as the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

RESOLUTION TWO

WHEREAS, Diocesan Provincial Realignment is a matter to be considered by the 143rd
Annual Convention in the form of a second reading of a series of Constitutional changes;
and

WHEREAS, a new Canon I establishing Provincial alignment with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone is also proposed; and

WHEREAS, the decision of Convention takes effect immediately, and supersedes all local existing provisions to the contrary; and

WHEREAS, many congregations will have to consider how to alter their By-Laws and/or Articles of Incorporation should the constitutional changes and new Canon I be adopted; and

WHEREAS, some congregations will require a season of discernment about whether to accept re-alignment or to petition to break their union with Convention; and

WHEREAS, charity and generosity continue to be embraced as virtues in diocesan life where matters of fidelity and direction profoundly divide us;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by this 143rd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, that all parishes of the diocese shall have twenty-four months to bring their By-Laws and/or Articles of Incorporation into conformity with the Provincial alignment adopted by this Convention; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Diocesan Council shall have the authority to lengthen the discernment period on a parish by parish basis, as shall seem wisest to Council and to the representatives of particular parishes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that negotiation between any parish seeking to break its union with Convention over the matter of Provincial alignment shall be undertaken with Christian grace and charity, and conducted in good faith, consistent with the Constitutions and Canons of the Diocese, consistent with all legal obligations, and consistent with the settlement of debts and other diocesan interests related to the parish property or assets.

RESOLUTION THREE

WHEREAS, the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (the “Diocese”) has this day voted to realign with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone of America (“Province of the Southern Cone”); and

WHEREAS, as a consequence of such realignment the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America otherwise known as The Episcopal Church are no longer applicable to the Diocese, any Parish of the Diocese, or any Clergy of the Diocese; and

WHEREAS, neither the Constitution and Canons of the Province of the Southern Cone nor the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese address certain matters of administration, discipline and order that would benefit from a written and publicly available set of policies;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church be adopted as advisory policies, until a more comprehensive set of Constitution and Canons can be developed and approved by the Diocese, to provide guidance in those areas of administration, discipline and order that are not otherwise covered by the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, for the avoidance of doubt that it be understood that the adoption of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church as advisory policies by the Diocese should in no way be interpreted to suggest that The Episcopal Church has any authority over the Diocese, any Parish of the Diocese, or any Clergy of the Diocese.