From ELO-
If its diocesan convention agrees in October, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will begin studying the possibility of reuniting with its neighbor the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Resolution 4, due to be considered during Pittsburgh's Oct. 16-17 diocesan convention, would call for a committee to study "the potential long-term impact of such reunion on the financial and administrative resources of the two dioceses." The resolution adds that Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe and the diocesan standing committee would be invited to participate in such a study.
Vanessa Butler, a spokesperson for Northwestern Pennsylvania, told ENS September 25 that no similar resolution will come before that diocese's November 6-7 convention. She said that the Erie-based diocese has not discussed how it would participate in an eventual study by Pittsburgh, adding that "we wouldn't impede their progress."
Butler said that, as a small diocese, Northwestern Pennsylvania might at some point look at joining another diocese but "we're not looking to do that anytime soon."
What is now the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania was carved out of the Pittsburgh diocese in the early 20th century and called the Diocese of Erie. "In the intervening century much has changed in both regions in terms of economics and demographics," the Pittsburgh resolution's explanation notes. "In what was the Diocese of Erie (now the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania) there has been a significant decline of population. In the Diocese of Pittsburgh the Episcopal Church itself has experienced unprecedented change following the 'realignment' and departure from the Episcopal Church of many clergy and congregations."
More here-
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_115018_ENG_HTM.htm
5 comments:
I'm not sure exactly when in the 1900's Pittsburgh became a separate diocese from the diocese of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), but reuniting with the diocese of Erie makes a lot of sense. Perhaps our new name could be Diocese of Western Pennsylvania?
Oops! Math is a wonderful thing! With the 144th diocesan convention coming up in October, I realize now our diocese must have become a separate entity from Philadelphia in 1865.
I'm curious to hear anything from our diocese about a merger. I suppose you are welcome. According to Louie Crew's figures, our clergy and lay voted for the resolutions at GC which are causing so much consternation among some of your clergy as expressed on the HoB/D.
I don't think your bishop voted for at least one of the controversial issues. But the votes aren't what's creating interest among some to look at possibilities in the long run.
I like to attend services at an Episcopal church when I'm away from home. The parish in DuBois, the town where some of my family moved, put me on their mailing list for their joint newsletter for a while, which I appreciated. What I read in there, both of the parishes and of the diocese, was quite nice...and quite normal. I felt at home, as it should be.
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