No, no bias here:

The original Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, founded in 1865, is reduced to 28 parishes.

News or op-ed article?  I think the latter.

The schism was fomented by Duncan

Sure, that’s the way TEC sees it, but again and again the real schism is against traditional Christian understanding!  Some of us want to remain Christians as we understand it.

This article is so full of inaccuracies, it it is impossible to take seriously anything posited in it.  I wish all journalists would take the time to make sure basic facts, numbers, names and titles are correct before filing stories.  One would think that would be something you learn in your first journalism course!

This reads like it was written by ENS.  By the bye, Abp Venables’ name is Gregory, not Douglas, isn’t it?
Dumb Sheep.

#2.  You surely are not implying that those of us who remain in the Episcopal Church are not remaining Christians as you understand it?

Aldenjr #5:  I’m sorry that I have to answer this without knowing where your heart is.  You created a giant opportunity for a thorough answer.  To do it right, I would first want to get input from some of my friends in three theological seminaries.  There is no time for that, so I’ll just make a few comments:  “Christian as we understand it.”  What does this mean?  First of all it means that you can love your neighbor without loving that person’s errant behavior.  Second, it means honoring God and not second guessing His Word (Genesis 3:4-5).  Third, it means not inciting God (Daniel 11:31-32).  Fourth it means not attacking people who want to stay true to their faith.  The scorched earth approach of TEC toward the conservative dioceses and parishes is inexcusable within the concept of Christian charity.  And then there are those nagging little verses in John 3:18 and 14:6.

“Christian as we understand it” ... I think this takes in the vast majority of the collective sum of all worldwide denominations, and also reflects the majority of the population of the Anglican Communion.  One could make the argument that TEC now has bishops that fit my 2nd and 3rd example above.  Not everyone is willing to become a part of what they may see as the abomination that causes desolation.  Whether we feel we are defiling the Temple, or the Church as a whole, it causes extreme differences of understanding about TEC theology.

No, I don’t feel that everyone still in TEC may not be Christians.  You still have some time to leave, but maybe only as individuals.

Is the cathedral really 226 years old?  That surprises me.  I would have thought Pittsburgh, although important strategically, was a rather rustic place in 1782.

I again ask about why both groups are calling themselves “Episcopal.”  In most other contexts where dissenters are leaving the church, they drop “Episcopal” terminology like a hot potato.  What’s the difference here?

Cole #6
I believe everything you said, and I believe the scriptures you cite; John 3:18 and John 14:6.  In fact, I agree that a lot of what the Episcopal Church has done is abhorrent.  I just disagree with the implication made by you and others on this blog site that at some point I have to leave the Episcopal Church if I am to remain a Christian.  Why can I not consider myself called to stand where I am in the Episcopal Church as a Christian to continue to witness to the faith?

Why is it considered weak by some on this blogsite because I haven’t chosen to leave?  I believe it is strength to continue to stay and witness.  Only when I am being forced to deny my Lord or to cease standing for the faith will I consider it necessary to leave.  (And I highly doubt that is going to happen to me, a layperson) Meanwhile we have work to do, to continue to witness to those who do not know the Lord or have fallen away.

NoVA Scout, the age given for the Cathedral is one of the many mistakes referenced by Fr. Wilson.  The Diocese of Pittsburgh was only formed in 1865, Trinity was completed in 1872 and officially became the Cathedral of the diocese in 1927.

aldenjr #8

The last sentence of my post was directed at those who say the ACNA folks are schismatic.  It depends on where you are, or how much you feel yourself being threatened, as to what your personal strategy preference is.  Risk, and the tradition of buildings and parish community also play a factor.  I would be glad to debate you on this issue, but accept that your heart is in the right place.  I pray for your safety as you “continue to stay and witness”

In my choice of Scripture, I picked negative themes instead of, say, John 3:16.  TEC is headed for a train wreck by ignoring what the Bible calls us to believe.  You may at some point find yourself clearly on that train and need to reconsider.  If TEC ever does reform itself, then we can rejoin in provincial communion.  But never am I saying we are not brothers in the Faith.

Thank you, Nevin.  You eased my sense of historical unease.  Of course 1872 is an impressively early date for a cathedral to be constructed anywhere in America, particularly west of the Appalachians.  That in itself is no small thing.

I continue to get crickets for my recurring question as to why both groups are clinging to the term “Episcopalian” where in virtually all other schism venues, the departing group divests itself quite quickly of any vestiges of the “Epsicopalian” taxonomy?  Can no one help on this?