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Progressive
Episcopalians
of
Pittsburgh is a
group of Episcopal clergy and laity dedicated to maintaining the health and unity of
The Episcopal Church, including the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as a theologically diverse expression of Anglicanism in America. PEP seeks both a church and a society that strive for justice and peace among all people, and that respect the dignity of every human being.
PEP is a member of
Via Media USA,
an alliance of similar groups dedicated to the traditional Anglicanism of
The Episcopal Church. We are not liberal or conservative,
not Evangelical or Anglo-Catholic, not
low-, broad-, or high-church. We are all those things and more:
we are one in our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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New Issue of PEP Newsletter Covers Recent Events and
Possible Future Ones
January 29, 2008. The just-published February
issue of PEPtalk, PEP’s newsletter, covers the
recent dramatic events in both San Joaquin and
Pittsburgh, where the struggle between The Episcopal
Church and bishops bent on “realignment” is heating up.
Other articles offer news of PEP and the diocese. The
newsletter offers a “cautionary tale” on the subject of
parish property and the church, as well as two essays on
the necessity of loyal Episcopalians, whatever their
theological or liturgical leanings, getting together to
plan for the future Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Paper copies of PEPtalk have been sent to PEP
members and friends and are available in many local
parishes. The on-line version is available
here.
If you would like to join PEP and have future issues
mailed to you, click here
to join. |
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Review Action Provides Opportunity
for Reconciliation
January 16, 2008. PEP issued a press release
today in response the the dramatic news from the Title
IV Review Committee. (See story at right.)
According to the PEP statement, “the canonical
procedures set in motion by this decision will clarify
issues of polity that have become confused in this
diocese.”
“The action of the Review Committee gives all of us in
Pittsburgh serious cause to reflect,” said Dr. Joan
Gundersen, President of Progressive Episcopalians of
Pittsburgh. “This can be an opportunity for all of us to
consider how we can change course and restore relations
with one another and with The Episcopal Church.”
The Rev. Diane Shepard, First Vice President of PEP,
commented, “We understand that Bishop Duncan must follow
his conscience regarding the kind of church he believes
is faithful to the Gospel. Whether he can resume his
role in The Episcopal Church or must relinquish it, we
pray that he finds a way to serve Christ’s Church in
peace and good conscience.”
Read the entire PEP press release
here. |
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PEP Contributions Tax-exempt
Join or Contribute On-line
January 13, 2008.
PEP was formed in the spring of 2003 and was
chartered as a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation
in 2004. In a letter dated December 13, 2007, the
IRS informed us of its determination that PEP is
“exempt from Federal income tax under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code” and that
contributions to PEP “are deductible under section
170 of the Code.” PEP is a “public charity” under
Federal regulations. Moreover, the effective date of
this status is February 2, 2004.
Board member Lionel Deimel, who managed the process
that resulted in the IRS determination, said, “This
represents an important milestone for PEP. Some
people have been reluctant to make larger
contributions because such gifts were understood not
to be tax-deductible. As our diocese moves closer to
crisis, the IRS ruling will make it easier for PEP
to obtain the resources it needs to educate
Pittsburgh Episcopalians and to co-ordinate
activities among leaders and parishes.”
PEP’s tax-exempt status will make it less painful
for many to join, but we are making it simpler as
well. Members may now fill out a membership form
on-line and pay dues on-line. If you do not wish to
join but would like to make a contribution to PEP,
that, too, may be done on-line. To fill out a
membership form or to make a contribution, click
here. |
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“Undermining the
Episcopal Church”
September 15, 2007.
The Rev. Thomas B. Woodward wrote a brilliant
four-part essay for
The Episcopal Majority called “Undermining the
Episcopal Church.” In it, Woodward clearly
identifies the nature of the threat to our church
from those who destroy it. In so doing, he not only
makes the case for The Episcopal Church but also
suggests how we all can defend our church from those
dissidents who, in a fundamental sense, are quite
un-Anglican in their outlook.
All four parts of the Woodward essay are now
available
here in
a single PDF file. The sections are titled “Cheap
Substitutions Are Not Acceptable,” “Blasting Away at
the Bedrock,” “A Case of Spiritual Adultery,” and
“Replacing the Christ with a Code.” |
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LEARN ABOUT US - GET INVOLVED
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Committee:
Bishop Duncan Has Abandoned Communion of Church
January 16, 2008. Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori informed Pittsburgh Bishop Robert
Duncan yesterday that the Title IV Review Committee
had determined that the bishop had abandoned the
communion of The Episcopal Church. The three senior
bishops of the church with jurisdiction, Bishops
Frade, Lee, and Wimberly did not all consent to
Bishop Duncan’s being inhibited. Although he can
still perform as bishop, the House of Bishops will
vote, at some unspecified future time, on whether he
should be deposed by the Presiding Bishop. Read the
ENS story
here.
ENS followed up with a story today, “Pittsburgh’s
Duncan, Progressive Episcopalians react to Review
Committee’s certification.” The story quotes
from a brief
statement on the diocese’s Web site, according
to which Bishop Duncan has responded, “Few bishops
have been more loyal to the doctrine, discipline and
worship of The Episcopal Church. I have not
abandoned the Communion of this Church. I will
continue to serve and minister as the Bishop of the
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.” The story also
quotes extensively from the PEP press release (see
story at left).
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Q&A Handout Helps
Explain Conflict
August 25, 2007. A new 6-page document from
Church of the Redeemer helps demystify Episcopal
Church and Anglican Communion conflicts. The handout
includes 37 questions, along with brief answers and
a question index. “Questions on the Current
Controversy Facing The Episcopal Church” is
especially helpful to Pittsburgh Episcopalians, as
many questions relate to issues now being discussed
in the diocese. Click
here to
read more and to download a copy of the new Q&A. |
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“Rewriting History”
Traces Communion
Power Struggle
August 2, 2007. Savitri Hensman, a leader in
both the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement and
Inclusive Church in the U.K. has written “Rewriting
History: Scapegoating The Episcopal Church.” This
82-page report traces the recent struggle for power
within the Anglican Communion and argues that
puritanical elements of the Communion have unfairly
targeted The Episcopal Church (TEC). Although
“Rewriting History” treats the conflict within TEC
only lightly, even those familiar with the recent
history of the Communion will appreciate this
thorough and well-documented review of how we got to
where we are today. You can read the whole report
here. |
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READ
The PEP Newsletter |
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