Frequently Asked Questions on Realignment
Diocese Releases Frequently Asked Questions on Realignment
April 22, 2008
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has released a document answering 30 Frequently Asked Questions about realignment. The document deals with theological issues and practical questions about the mechanics of realigning the diocese to another province of the Anglican Communion.
15) If the Diocese chooses to realign, who actually owns the church buildings and endowments?
The church buildings, endowments and other resources of the Diocese are entirely held in either the name of the parish, the Diocese or the diocesan Board of Trustees. It is our contention that, whether or not we realign, the ownership of those assets should not and will not change.
“Realignment Questions”
April 11, 2008
The Rev. John Heidengren, rector of Prince of Peace in Hopewell, is using this handout to explain realignment.
What will happen to the Diocese of Pittsburgh if the second vote passes?
It will remain The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh but will be connected to the leadership of a different collection of Anglican Dioceses (called a “province” or “national church”) somewhere else in the world. All parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will realign together.
Pittsburgh Update Launched
April 08, 2008
A new website, sponsored by ”A Pittsburgh Episcopal Voice,” is setting out to cover news and events in the Anglican world and the diocese. According to Lionel Deimel, a parishioner at St. Paul’s in Mount Lebanon, “We are trying very hard to be non-partisan and to be a site to which all parish leaders can comfortably direct parishioners.”
Coalition for Realignment Announced
March 14, 2008
A group of Pittsburgh clergy and lay leaders have launched a website and published a letter announcing their intention to work for the realignment of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The website address is www.re-align.org. The group includes the rectors of three of Pittsburgh’s four largest parishes, members of the Diocesan Council, Standing Committee and Board of Trustees, the Diocesan Lay Leader of Pittsburgh Episcopal Cursillo and many others.
They write:
Many of us in the Diocese grieve the breakdown in The Episcopal Church, and the great pain that is felt locally. Nevertheless we also look forward with profound hope and expectation to the good things that God has in store for us and for the work and mission of our diocese as it realigns. Please be encouraged that in the days, weeks and months ahead we will stand by all those who will join us as we heed God’s call to follow our bishop and to reject the false teachings of The Episcopal Church. In the coming days we will also be seeking to address the many practical questions and issues before us.
We are convinced that we have a great future as faithful followers of Jesus, and that for the vast majority in our diocese, that future will best be served by realigning with part of that large majority of Anglican Christians around the world who are unashamed of the Gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans1:16.
The full text is available as a pdf file.
From the Horse’s Mouth - Statements on Theology from Episcopal Church Leaders
March 11, 2008
We at the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh have been asserting for many years now that the leadership of The Episcopal Church is out of step with mainstream Christian belief. During those years, there have been those both here and elsewhere, who have responded to that claim with, shall we say, a healthy bit of skepticism.
Why do we make that claim? We make it on the evidence we have. To help others wrestling through questions about what the leadership of The Episcopal Church really believes, I have gathered together a sampling of that evidence, primarily in the form of quoted statements by our current Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and many others. These statements cover a very wide swath of subjects important to Christians such as the divinity of Jesus, how do we have a relationship with God, how do we know what is true, what happens when we die, and whether or not there is a biblical pattern of moral behavior.
Read their statements for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
- Peter Frank
Director of Communications, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh