CANA Offers Support for Diocese of Pittsburgh

CANA News Release

HERNDON, Va. (October 6, 2008) - The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) issued a statement of support for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, which voted to separate from The Episcopal Church (TEC) and join the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone due to TEC's refusal to affirm the authority of Scripture.

"We support the leaders and members of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in their journey to abide by the clear teaching of Scripture and to remain steadfast in their faith. It is sad that the Diocese was forced to come to this vote, but they could not in good conscience follow the direction embraced by the current leadership of The Episcopal Church," said CANA Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns.

ENGLAND: This new 'flying bishop' plan is lunacy

OPINION

By Damian Thompson
The Telegraph
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/damian_thompson/blog/2008/10/05/this_new_flying_bishop_plan_is_lunacy
October 5, 2008

The plan to create a new breed of souped-up "flying bishop" to protect Church of England traditionalists from women bishops is so wacky that it belongs in a children's cartoon rather than a body claiming to be a historic wing of the apostolic Church.

It conjures up images of Superbishop gliding into the vestry of St Dorothy's, mitre in hand, and telling a group of terrified traddies: "Never fear! With my NEW MAGIC POWERS I can zap women bishops as well as women priests." And the traddies replying, in quavering voices: "Oh, thank you, Superbishop! Now we are now safe from Womanbishop and her evil minions!"

MONROEVILLE, Pa. After Theological Split, a Clash Over Church Assets

By SEAN D. HAMILL
The New York TImes
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/us/06church.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin
October 5, 2008

Bishop Robert W. Duncan was removed last month for leading the secession of Episcopalians in Pittsburgh. He said diocese property should belong to those who split from the national church.

"If the national church would stay out of it, we could work it out," said the Rev. Jonathan Millard, who favored secession and led the convention on Saturday. "And I think 90 percent of the churches here would agree with me."

ALABAMA: Anglican Priest Calls on Episcopal Bishop of Alabama to Sign Jerusalem Declaration

by John D. Richardson
October 8, 2008

With reluctance I write again. However, much has transpired within the global Anglican Communion that has gone unreported in the News. Your readers deserve a fair presentation of the reality on the ground. After all, "our mutual loyalty to one another" should be grounded in truth, and not in weak assessments (at best), or via orchestrated spin (at worst).

First, Bishop Chane of Washington DC has offered a reflection on Lambeth which soberly and fairly reflects what the Archbishop of Canterbury calls a state of "grave peril." Contrary to the vacuous "all is well" offered by many, Chane says: "Archbishop Williams sought what he believed was a middle way that unfortunately continues to marginalize the Canadian and American churches. . . " The Bishop of Alabama says the "strong center" held firm. Chane understands Lambeth's implications and accepts the reality that the "middle way" excludes increasingly both The Episcopal Church (TEC) and its counterpart in Canada (ACC).

Words are powerful - Thoughts shape - Ideas have consequences
Part VIII: Singerism in Academia

by Debra Rae
http://www.changingworldviews.com/GuestCommentaries/DebraRaearticle17.htm
While surfing channels on television, I am taken aback-yet again-by repeated images of violence, dismemberment, and murder. That macabre themes, as these, define "adult entertainment" is unsettling, to say the very least.

Even more, I am troubled by "entertainment" consumed by America's children and youth. As you no doubt have, I've observed a quiet six-year-old riveted to a computer monitor with "joy" stick in hand. In seconds, that boy was transformed into a virtual killing machine as he vicariously (and vociferously) acted out grotesque scenarios of mayhem and bedlam.

Why Christian Leaders Shouldn't Leave the Ladies to do the Talking

By Julian Mann
October 5, 2008

The temptation among orthodox Christian leaders to resort to the Sarah Palin tactic is becoming ever stronger in the current cultural climate.

Traditional values are difficult to sell these days. A male leader whose formative years were in the 1950s is conscious that he is struggling to bridge the communication divide. So why not get a younger, telegenic woman with the right values to ride shot-gun?

So she can do the media interviews. Let's face it - she's much more attractive to look at than I am and she's got the right, 'hip' turn of phrase. Quite honestly, on a bad day I can sound like a post-Suez Anthony Eden with a bit of Noel Coward thrown in.

To the Grey Havens: Diocese of Pittsburgh Convention, October 4, 2008

By Jeremy Bonner
http://catholicandreformed.blogspot.com/2008/10/to-grey-havens-diocese-of-pittsburgh.html
10/5/2008

Then Elrond and Galadriel rode on; for the Third Age was over, and the Days of the Rings were past, and an end was come of the story and song of those times . . . And when they had passed from the Shire, going about the south skirts of the White Downs, they came to the Far Downs, and to the Towers, and looked on the distant Sea; and so they rode down at last to Mithlond, to the Grey Havens in the long firth of Lune. As they came to the gates Cirdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said: 'All is now ready.'

Then Cirdan led them to the Havens, and there was a white ship lying, and upon the quay stood a figure robed all in white awaiting them. As he turned and came towards them Frodo saw that it was Gandalf; and on his hand he wore the Third Ring, Narya the Great, and the stone upon it was red as fire. Then those who were to go were glad, for they knew that Gandalf also would take ship with them. But Sam was now sorrowful at heart, and it seemed to him that if the parting would be bitter, more grievous still would be the long road home alone . . . and as he looked at the grey sea he saw only a shadow on the waters that was soon lost in the West. There still he stood far into the night, hearing only the sigh and murmur of the waves on the shores of Middle Earth and the sound of them sank into his heart.

PITTSBURGH: Episcopal Diocese Announces Special Convention

Diocesan News Service
October 4, 2008

Immediately following The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburghs convincing October 4 vote to realign with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, the Diocesan Standing Committee announced that a special convention would be held on November 7 and 8 for the purpose of electing a bishop and planning for the continued mission of the diocese.

The two-day special convention will begin on the evening of November 7 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, and feature a key note address by the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh until his disputed removal from office by the national Episcopal Church, and currently a bishop in good standing with the Province of the Southern Cone.

PITTSBURGH: Diocese Elects Diocesan Offices

Diocesan News Service
October 4, 2008

Deputies and clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's 143rd Annual Convention elected candidates to 12 diocesan offices on October 4. The diocesan officers will take their seats on the Array, Board of Trustees, Cathedral Chapter, Committee on Canons, Growth Fund and the Standing Committee on January 1, 2008.

The Rev. Douglas Blakelock of St. Mark's in Johnstown and the Rev. John Bailey of St. Andrew's in New Kensington, were elected to fill the open clergy positions on the Array. Marilyn Chislaghi of Church of the Ascension in Oakland, was elected to fill the open lay seat.

Susan Pollard of St. Paul's in Mount Lebanon and James Wilson of Church of the Ascension in Oakland were elected to fill the two lay seats open on the Board of Trustees.

ONTARIO, CA: Two More Parishes Join Anglican Network in Canada

ANiC Release
October 5, 2008

The congregations of St George's in Ottawa and the Church of St Peter in Hamilton both voted with overwhelming majorities today to come under the episcopal oversight of Bishop Donald Harvey, Moderator of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) and under the Primatial authority of Archbishop Gregory Venables of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

The two congregations demonstrated strong unity in making these decisions. At St George's the vote was 130 in favour and 27 opposed, while at St Peter's, 42 voted in favour and one was opposed. Attendance at both parish vestry meetings was unexpectedly high.

UK: Bishops to serve male clergy only in plans to avert exodus from Church of England
Church leaders will propose creating a tier of bishops to serve male clergy only to prevent an exodus of traditionalists over plans to make women bishops.

By Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent
The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/3134969/Bishops-to-serve-male-clergy-only-in-plans-to-avert-exodus-from-Church-of-England.html
October 4, 2008

In a bid to stop the departure of male clergy who oppose the ordination of women, they would be given their own "flying bishops" to perform pastoral duties, such as confirmation and ordination services.

The Episcopal Church: excelling in irrelevance?

By Phillip Cato
9/5/2008

With each passing day, the profound irrelevance of the Church becomes more and more evident. In this irrelevance, the Episcopal Church excels.

Even a superficial knowledge of the events which are overtaking our nation is enough to make the case that our church has no direction to give and nothing intelligent to say.

Our economy is at the brink of total collapse. This is so self-evident that no argument needs to be made. Kevin Phillips, several years ago, in Wealth and Democracy, made the case that the United States was following the same pattern that proved the economic undoing of Spain, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. We abandoned a producer economy for one that is primarily financialized, with all our wealth in the form of traded paper.

PITTSBURGH: Diocese Makes Historic Decision to Leave The Episcopal Church
Pittsburgh is Second Episcopal Diocese to Depart National Church

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue in Pittsburgh
www.virtueonline.org
10/4/2008

In a move that will further strain relationships within The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Pittsburgh voted overwhelmingly to leave the Episcopal Church and align itself with the Province of the Southern Cone under the ecclesiastical authority of Archbishop Gregory Venables.

A simple resolution reading "The Diocese of Pittsburgh shall be a member of that Province of the Anglican Communion known as the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone" was read out loud by an English-born priest. Two small groups who wished to speak both for and against the resolution generated little emotion. Both sides made their cases. The Rev. Harold Lewis of Calvary Episcopal Church and the diocese's most notorious liberal did not rise to the occasion. The assembled 350 plus clergy and laity voted down extended time to address the issue. The vote was then taken.

PITTSBURGH: Diocese Begins Process To Recall Bishop Robert Duncan

Diocesan News Service
October 4, 2008

The Standing Committee of The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh today took action to recall Bishop Robert Duncan to his position as diocesan bishop. Bishop Duncan was involuntarily removed from the post by The Episcopal Church's House of Bishops on September 18. While the diocese remained in The Episcopal Church, it submitted to the decision. Now that the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is part of the Province of The Southern Cone, it is free to invite Bishop Duncan back into leadership.

The move came minutes after the close of the 143rd Diocesan Convention. After a short meeting, the Standing Committee officially announced the diocese's plans to elect a bishop on November 7. The election will take place during a special convention of the diocese. It is expected that Bishop Duncan will be the only candidate on the ballot.

PITTSBURGH: "Take Courage. It is I. Don't Be Afraid..."

A sermon preached at the 143rd Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on the occasion of the secession of the diocese from The Episcopal Church to the Province of the Southern Cone.

By Rev. David Wilson October 4, 2008

This year is different. For as long as I can remember diocesan convention has been held the first week in November: As it comes it always reminds me to remember my wedding anniversary, also in the first week of November. November 3rd to be exact or is it November 2nd ? And every year Gale asks me where are we going to dinner for our anniversary? And I say, "To a hotel ballroom for a scrumptious meal! And you can even have your choice of beef tips over noodles, stuffed chicken breast or vegetable lasagna!