Conservative Bishop Urges Orthodox Episcopal Church to Focus on Mission
by Allie Martin
October 2, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A leader in the conservative movement in the U.S. Episcopal Church says the denomination is on the verge of a reformation. Recently, a group of conservative bishops known as the Global South encouraged conservative American Anglicans to be prepared to form church structures that are different from those linked to liberals.
The Anglican Church has been racked by controversy and schism ever since a homosexual bishop was ordained in 2003 by the U.S. Episcopal Church. Robert Duncan, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, believes a majority of the Episcopal Church leaders throughout America want to make their own rules. However, he says he and other denominational leaders who believe in the authority of scripture are standing strong for biblical principles.
"We are certainly not interested in having battles in the courts," Duncan asserts. "We think the other side may be more interested in those battles, but we actually think they'll lose them, because they're operating outside of the rules that we've received."
But with the statements being made on either side of the rift, the Bishop of Pittsburgh notes, "it's really hard to say who's breaking from whom." The clearest way to state the present situation "is that there are two Episcopal Churches," he says, "and both claim to be living by the rules. The question is, which one is the Episcopal Church?"
Duncan, who also serves as a moderator for the Anglican Communion Network (officially, the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes), says members of this group and other orthodox members of the denomination must maintain their sense of priorities during this crisis. He urges them not to lose sight of the Episcopal Church's main objective.
"The most important thing," the Bishop contends, "is to stay focused on the mission, to keep proclaiming the gospel to folks who haven't heard it and deploying Christians who have committed themselves to Christ to do the work of Christ's love in the world."
The 14 Primates of the Global South have affirmed their solidarity with the "faithful Bishops, clergy and church members in North America who remain committed to the historic faith and order of the church," and who have "rejected biblical innovation." The Global South has also offered its support and extended "the full weight" of its ministries to the growing Anglican Communion Network.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
