The Russian Orthodox Church offers to restore relations with the Diocese of Pittsburgh and other dioceses.

Bishop Robert Duncan of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh welcomed an offer by the Russian Orthodox Church to restore ecumenical relations with the Diocese of Pittsburgh and other American dioceses who have asked for Alternative Primatial Oversight. Following the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson, the Russian Orthodox Church ended all ecumenical contacts with the Episcopal Church USA.

The letter from Metropolitan Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Church’s chairman of the Department of External Church Relations, which was delivered on August 21 to the diocesan offices, states, “the Russian Orthodox Church supports your act and expresses willingness to restore relations with your diocese.”

“Our intent has always been to remain in mainstream Christianity, even while much of the Episcopal Church chooses another course. Recognition that we desire to be in that mainstream by one of the major historic Christian churches is very meaningful to us,” said Bishop Duncan. Some 90 million people around the world are Russian Orthodox.

Bishop Duncan added that he has offered a clarification in his response to Metropolitan Kirill. “There is one matter, about which I must humbly advise you, that may impede the recognition you so graciously propose. Among the dioceses that Pittsburgh leads are dioceses that do ordain women to the diaconate and presbyterate, just as do many of the Provinces of the Anglican Communion. Under these circumstances would the Russian Orthodox Church still be willing to recognize those dioceses in our fellowship that share this practice, Pittsburgh being among them?,” wrote Bishop Duncan in a letter sent on August 25.

Bishop Duncan also added that he hoped ultimately ecumenical relations could be restored for all those Episcopalians and Anglicans in the United States that have come together in the Anglican Communion Network and the Common Cause Roundtable. “As Metropolitan Kirill notes, The Russian Orthodox Church has had a long, fruitful and affectionate relationship with American Anglicans. May God grant us many years of renewed Christian friendship and partnership.”