Episcopal Church acts against Pittsburgh bishop

http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-58/120049857261730.xml&storylist=penn

[pennlive.com] 17 Jan 2008--An Episcopal committee says that conservative Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has "abandoned the communion of this church" — a potential first step toward stripping him of religious authority in the denomination.

The committee blocked the national Episcopal Church from imposing the penalty of "inhibition," which would have barred him from performing religious duties. But the Episcopal House of Bishops is expected to consider imposing the punishment near the end of this year.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who notified Duncan that he had abandoned the communion on Tuesday, told Duncan that she sought permission to inhibit him.