Archbishop Peter Jensen’s statement on the deposition of Bishop Duncan
Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, on the deposition of Bishop Bob Duncan of Pittsburgh by the Episcopal Church House of Bishops.
“The unfolding tragedy of the Episcopal Church starkly reveals the folly of the original decision to break with the Bible and centuries of historic Christianity on the issue of human sexuality.
We grieve for Bishop Duncan but are encouraged by his courageous witness.
I welcome the statements of the many significant figures in the Anglican world who have expressed grave concern at this act towards a man who remains in good standing with the majority of the communion.”
– 19th September 2008.
See also Network, Common Cause Leaders offer Support for Bishop Duncan…
Bishop Jack Iker of Fort Worth:
“In spite of the sham deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan by the House of Bishops, he remains the formidable leader of traditional Episcopalians and loyal Anglicans in North America. Bishop Duncan continues to have the respect of a majority of the primates and bishops of the entire Anglican Communion, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. In an effort to silence him, the House of Bishops has only given him greater creditability as the leader of the realignment movement.”
Archbishop Akinola’s address to the General Synod of Nigeria
From Archbishop Peter Akinola’s Opening Address at the 9th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria –
We called Gafcon because we refused to ‘succumb to the turmoil in our Communion and simply watch helplessly. We have found ourselves in a world in which Anglican leaders hold on to a form of religion but consistently deny its power. We have a situation in which some members of the Anglican family think they are so superior to all others that they are above the law, they can do whatever they please with impunity.’
– Read the full address at the Church of Nigeria website.
Bp Duncan’s Statement on his ‘Deposition’
It is a very sad day for The Episcopal Church. It is also a sad day for me, a faithful son of that church.
Nevertheless it is also a hopeful day, hopeful because of the unstoppable Reformation that is overtaking the Christian Church in the West. It is also a hopeful day for me personally as I am unanimously welcomed into the House of Bishops of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, an act applauded by Anglican archbishops, bishops, clergy and people all around the world.
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will move forward under its new Ecclesiastical Authority, its Standing Committee. That body will carry the diocese through to our realignment vote on October 4. With the success of that vote, it will be possible that we be joined together again as bishop and people.
I offer my deepest thanks to the company of saints all around the globe who have sustained me, my wife and all who are dear to me in these days.
Robert Duncan. September 18, 2008
(Source: Diocese of Pittsburgh.)
See also the statement released by the Pittsburgh Standing Committee.
Diocese of Pittsburgh maintains course
The House of Bishops purported deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan will not change the agenda for the Oct. 4 Diocesan Convention or change Bishop Duncan’s status as a bishop in good standing within the Anglican Communion.
The action of the House of Bishops, which was taken in a closed meeting on September 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah, contravenes numerous canons of The Episcopal Church.…
– Read the full statement at the Diocese of Pittsburgh website.
Retired bishops wheeled in to depose Bishop Duncan
The Episcopal Church House of Bishops today passed a resolution formally requesting that the Bishop of Pittsburgh, the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan be deposed from the Episcopal Church for abandoning the communion of the church.
By a vote of 87 to 36 with four abstentions the HOB overwhelming moved to have the evangelical catholic bishop removed as a bishop from TEC. It is now up to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to officially depose him. She is expected to do that before The Diocesan Convention in 2 weeks. …
Springfield Bishop Peter Beckwith described the debate for deposition as “shallow”.
“They were blaming Bishop Duncan saying he needed to be deposed because he said terrible things about the House of Bishops. I have never seen so many retired bishops at a HOB meeting. The majority voted for deposition. The hypocrisy was incredible.…”
– Report from VirtueOnline. See also this update from Sarah Hey at Stand Firm.
Welsh Bishops pledge pastoral care – but no flying bishop
“The Bishops of the Church in Wales today promised to provide continuing care for those opposed to the ordination of women, following a decision not to appoint a new assistant bishop.
They stressed there was still a place in the church for those unable in conscience to accept the ordination of women and emphasised their commitment to sensitive pastoral care for all people and parishes in each diocese.
The announcement follows the retirement last June of Bishop David Thomas who came to be known as the Provincial Assistant Bishop. He was appointed in 1996 when the church decided to ordain women as priests…”
– Statement from the Church in Wales.
Forward in Faith UK has expressed its disappointment: Read more
‘Breakaway Anglican group uses Jensen’s postbox’
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, is helping to organise a breakaway faction of the global Anglican Church that is opposed to same-sex blessings and the consecration of gay clergy from his diocesan headquarters at St Andrews House.
The controversial move has angered moderates in the Australian church. …
[Yet] … The diocese denies that Dr Jensen’s new position means the GAFCON movement will be administratively headquartered in Sydney.”
– Another story mentioning controversy, subversion, that ‘breakaway faction’ and ‘strict literal interpretations of the Bible’ – from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also An invitation from the [GAFCON] Primates Council.
The historical fiction of The Episcopal Church
It is troubling to note the shift of TEC from an institution centered around a long religious tradition to one centered around rules, regulations, and real estate. Even more troubling is watching the leadership of the Episcopal Church act more and more like this is the way it ought to be – the way it has always been – and to watch them feign indignation at those who cling to an historic faith as the proper object of Christian loyalty. …
It is sobering to watch the bishops and clergy of TEC pretend a new history into existence and then equate conformity to this fabrication with faithfulness to the gospel.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…