Source: Living Church
The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh and moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, lauded a covenant agreement involving, among others, the Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, Bishop of Olympia, and two congregations whose clergy and members voted to leave the diocese and The Episcopal Church to affiliate with an overseas Anglican province.
“Both sides are satisfied that this is a good and fair settlement,” Bishop Duncan said. “I commend Bishop Warner for trying to provide space and time for healing to occur. He has provided us with a very significant example of servant leadership.”
The covenant respects the independence of St. Charles’ Anglican Church, Poulsbo, Wash., and St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Oak Harbor, allowing them to continue to worship in their buildings for through June 2014 without paying rent or assessments. The covenant, which was approved by the diocesan standing committee and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, also allows a third congregation composed of those members of St. Stephen’s who want to remain with The Episcopal Church to use the building for worship. In the event of disagreements, the Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little II, Bishop of Northern Indiana, will act as mediator.
“I would not liken this to DEPO (Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight),” Bishop Duncan said. “It is a mediated settlement.
“This represents the type of charity and generosity that I have been pleading for [from the majority] for years. If all the parties in our present dispute were willing to show the same charity and grace, our church would be in a much better state.”
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