A Church of England Newspaper Interview with Bishop Robert Duncan
February 21st, 2007
The leader of the American Church’s traditionalist coalition, Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh has told The Church of England Newspaper he is “cautiously optimistic” over the outcome of the Feb 14-19 Primates Meeting in Dar es Salaam.
Four American bishops testified on Feb 15 before a special session of the Primates Meeting, describing the situation in the American church. Bishops Bruce McPherson of Western Louisiana and C. Christopher Epting of the Presiding Bishop’s staff left the meeting following after they gave their testimony, while Bishop Duncan and Presiding Bishop Katharine Schori stayed through the end. A last minute push to reach an agreement moved the close from mid-day to near midnight, preventing him from staying until the close. Bishop Duncan spoke to CEN on Feb 20 in Zurich moments after reading the text of the Communiqué.
Q: Bishop Duncan what is your initial response to the Communiqué?
A: My initial response to the Communiqué is quite positive. There remain a number of things we still have to work through, but I am pleased. Many wanted this meeting to settle things. We all want things settled. We want them settled yesterday. That is not how it works in Anglicanism, but this is a very good move forward.
Q: Do the Primates recommendations follow along the lines of the requests made by the Camp Allen bishops last year?
A: Yes, the Camp Allen principles are there, but there is much more. If one were to compare the Camp Allen principles sent to the Primates with what the Primates Communiqué says in notable areas like legal battles, we raised those questions and they are included in a very significant way.
Q: What would you tell the person in the pew, what should they come away with after having read this?
A: They should come away encouraged. They must recognize that this is a very significant reformation. Another important chapter of the reform of the Church and that this reformation has moved forward. They should also persevere. If they want to find a place were all the questions are answered, they won’t find that until they are on the other side of this life.
Q: There appear to be two issues at play within the Communiqué, one of structure and one of doctrine. Is there a priority? Do the primates believe they need to get the structure right to enforce doctrine?
A: My initial reaction is that I don’t agree with that. What was behind this is the doctrinal piece. This meeting was about doctrine, that is to say will the doctrinal test be upheld, and it has been. That is very significant.
Q: Are you saying the debate is not over the rightness of the actions of the Episcopal Church’s actions, but that the Episcopal Church has acted improperly and the primates debate was over what they are going to do about it?
A: I think that is true.
Q: What would you say to your colleagues in the House of Bishops? This statement is addressed to them for action.
A: To my colleagues in the House of Bishops what I have said for a very long time is ‘come back, live within the boundaries.’ We are significantly divided. I know that my colleagues, that most bishops will do what their conscience directs them, and that will put us in a very divided house.
Q: Do you have any observations to make following your encounters with the Primates of the Global South this week in Dar es Salaam?
A: Their commitment, their vigor is real. With some exceptions, they are as united as they have ever been. Again, America presents a challenge as they try to respond to the situation there. I think they would all be very happy for the American issue to be settled. That was there hope for this meeting, as it was ours. It hasn’t been settled yet, but it is well on the road.
Q: Does this communiqué tacitly affirm the request made by seven dioceses for alternative primatial oversight, or a commissary?
A: This document recognized the large number of bishops, clergy, and people who are completely with the received teaching of the Communion. We have asked for oversight from the Primates and at this meeting, I reaffirmed this request. This document goes a very long way towards providing that. The document recognizes that there are some in the Episcopal Church who for theological reasons and for ecclesiological reasons cannot recognize Katharine Jefferts Schori as our primate. The document recognizes the legitimacy of our request of opening a space between the two sides while the covenant process moves forward. It is a very acceptable result.
What I think I really want to say is that I am cautiously optimistic. Anglicanism, as represented by the Primates at this meeting, has stood with the faith once delivered. We are in the midst of a reformation, and still have much work ahead for us.
–From the Church of England Newspaper, 22 February 2007 edition