The Diocese of Pittsburgh has released a document detailing how its request for alternate primatial oversight (APO) fits in with its long-term strategy which includes having the “alternative primate convene an organizing convention for the purpose of forming a permanent constituent Anglican body in the U.S.” The document was given to several Global South primates and discussed during a November meeting in Virginia with several bishops and other leaders of the Anglican Communion Network.

“As we await clarity regarding the consequences of the recent theological disputes between much of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, all in the diocese need to know that we will remain who we are and where we are,” said Pittsburgh Bishop Robert W. Duncan in an article published on the diocesan website. “We have no plans to be anything but the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh as we seek spiritual oversight from a primate committed, as we are, to the historic faith and order of the church catholic.”

In a separate pastoral letter to the diocese, published at the same time, Bishop Duncan reports that the diocesan standing committee has concurred with his decision to mount a “vigorous defense” to the lawsuit reopened by the rector and wardens of Calvary Church, Pittsburgh. The Rev. Harold Lewis and others at Calvary contend that the request for APO violates terms of a settlement agreement reached between Calvary and the diocese. A Pennsylvania state court judge has recently ordered the diocese to turn over by Jan. 31 a number of documents requested by Calvary, including virtually everything produced and discussed during the November meeting in Virginia.

“The matters in play are theological and ecclesiastical,” Bishop Duncan said. “They have nothing to do with the property of the diocese. The property of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will continue to be held and administered for the beneficial use of the parishes and institutions of the diocese. It is our continuing commitment to protect the interest the diocese has in its property -- indeed to protect all that it is steward over -- against any who would attempt to usurp that role, either from below (minority parishes) or above (national church).”

To find more news, feature articles, and commentary about the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion not available online, we invite you to subscribe to The Living Church magazine. To learn more, click here.