Monday, October 06, 2008

Episcopal diocese chooses to secede

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08279/917627-85.stm

[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette] 6 Oct 2008--The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh yesterday voted to secede from the Episcopal Church and join the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone in South America. At least 17 of 74 congregations elected to remain with the U.S. church.

Meeting in Monroeville, the laity representatives voted 119-69 and the clergy voted, 121-33, to secede.

Bishop Robert Duncan, whom the Episcopal House of Bishops deposed Sept 18 but is now "episcopal commissary" to Pittsburgh from the Southern Cone, called it "a historic day."

"They used to burn us at the stake, but I'm increasingly fire-retardant," he said of his removal. Quoting scripture and giving a nod to the new headquarters in Argentina, he concluded, "Our God is a consuming fire. Buenos dias."

No comments: