One of the most significant conservative leaders in the United States, Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, has been deposed from the ordained ministry by the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church.
Bishop Duncan was accused by the National church leadership that his actions over recent months and years constitute "abandonment of the communion of this church".
The bishop has been in conflict with revisionist leaders over the erosion of historic Christian teaching, particularly in the area of human sexuality.
The reported final tally was 88 yes, 35 no, with four abstentions, however Texan bishops were absent because of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Nine other bishops did not respond to the meeting call.
Immediately after the vote, Bishop Duncan was welcomed into the House of Bishops of the Province of the Southern Cone.
Primate of the Southern Cone, Archbishop Gregory Venables, urged prayer for all Anglicans in Pittsburgh “as they consider their own relationship with The Episcopal Church in the coming weeks."
Bishop Duncan has issued a statement saying “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. 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.”
Leading figures in the Anglican communion and conservative groups have strongly backed Bishop Duncan.
Leaders of the Anglican Communion Network and the Common Cause Partnership offered support as well as the Convocation of Anglicans in North America.
“Bishop Duncan is an effective and beloved leader of the Anglican Communion Network and the Common Cause Partnership. Far from removing him from ministry in the Anglican Communion, the House of Bishops has only succeeded in setting him free to continue leading us in the construction of a biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism here in North America,” said Bishop John Guernsey, dean of the Anglican Communion Network’s Mid-Atlantic Convocation.
CANA Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns says “We support Bishop Duncan, a godly man who has chosen to follow the historic teaching of the worldwide Anglican Communion and to remain steadfast in his faith. CANA continues to recognize Bishop Duncan as a bishop in good standing in the Anglican Communion, as Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and as the moderator of the Common Cause Partnership. This hostile and uncanonical action by The Episcopal Church House of Bishops will not be accepted by the worldwide Anglican Communion.”
Within hours, Sydney Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen also issued a statement of support for Bishop Duncan.
“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.”
