A leading Episcopal conservative is urging the national church to halt the process of disciplining Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, who is currently moving toward disaffiliation.
"In brief, I would urge TEC (The Episcopal Church) and other Anglican bishops to pray for and take action so that this process pauses indefinitely," the Rev. Ephraim Radner said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Episcopal Church's three senior bishops stopped short of banning Duncan from his religious duties last week when the presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, sought to inhibit him. Duncan was, however, certified as having "abandoned the Communion of this Church" and Episcopal bishops are expected to vote on a final decision later this year.
The charge essentially means that the bishop has effectively left the church. But will the church leave the bishop?
Duncan has been leading the Pittsburgh diocese toward a split with The Episcopal Church over its liberal view on Scripture and homosexuality. He has expressed little hope that the national church would get back in line with Anglican tradition and is currently planning to form a separate orthodox Anglican body in the United States with other conservative bishops.
I have spent some time with Bishop Duncan in the past. We meet in Washington, DC and I had a discussion about this issue with him. I have the utmost respect for Bishop Duncan. He is bravely fighting for truth in the remnant of a church that despises it. He has done everything according to the Bible and it is sad that those who claim authority over him, now stand against him and in essence against the Word of God.
While Bishop Duncan may very well end up a bishop without a church, I pray Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik will continue to stand by his side and maybe one day, welcome him into the Catholic faith.
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