Posted first at VirtueOnline:
Editor's Note: Standing Committee President David Wilson has responded on behalf of that body to letters all Standing Committee members received from the Rev. Dr. Jim Simons demanding they repudiate the October 4 decision of the diocesan convention to align with The Province of The Southern Cone. The Standing Committee also voted on October 8 to elect the Rev. Michael Wurschmidt, rector and senior pastor of Shepherd's Heart Fellowship in Pittsburgh, to serve the remainder of Dr. Simons' term.
The text of the Fr. Wilson's letter to Dr. Simons follows.
October 8, 2008
Dear Jim,
Now that the Diocese has voted to amend its Constitution and align with the Province of the Southern Cone, it is our duty on the Standing Committee to faithfully serve as the Diocese's ecclesiastical authority within that organizational structure.
Your recent letter "to the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh" makes clear that you do not believe that you have this duty, but rather that you feel called to a different duty - to challenge the validity of the Diocese's realignment. Your October 6 letter to the members of the Standing Committee also reflects this perspective.
I fully understand that your position on these issues is a matter of personal conviction.
Nonetheless, I must sorrowfully conclude that your letters (and other actions) are a violation of your obligations as a member of the Diocese's Standing Committee. Further, your actions, and the Resolution of your parish which you have already forwarded to the Diocese, make clear that you are no longer qualified to be a member of the Standing Committee under Article IX, section 2 of the Diocesan Constitution. Accordingly, I am calling a special meeting of the Standing Committee to fill the vacancy left by your departure.
Were it not for the dark shadow of property disputes that has now hung over this Diocese for many years, I could (and would) simply resolve that we will agree to disagree on these issues. Unfortunately, the history of The Episcopal Church's approach to litigation serves as a troubling prologue to what we may now face in Pittsburgh. I pray that we can work together to avoid such litigation.
As noted above, we have received the Resolution from your parish, St. Michael's, indicating that it has voted not to remain part of the Diocese, but instead desires to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
It appears from your open letter that you are organizing not only the efforts of St. Michael's, but also that of other parishes - such as Calvary - to address these difficult issues. The Stipulation signed by Judge James in the Calvary litigation includes provisions that address parishes leaving the Diocese. It is our intent to work cooperatively with all parishes that choose this course.
As part of this effort, we welcome an organized approach to these issues - particularly because without organization, disputes may arise regarding who has authority to speak for parishes and for The Episcopal Church. You may not be aware, for example, that Harold Lewis has taken the position that the Stipulation binds all parishes and that he has authority to speak for TEC.
The process of gracious disengagement will best be served with an organized approach in which we at the Diocese can work with a single point of contact for those who do not want to remain part of the Diocese now that it has aligned with the Province of the Southern Cone. It would be especially helpful if that point of contact is someone who has clear authority to speak for TEC. If you can be that point of contact, that would be most helpful to everyone, I think.
I also am responding on behalf of all of the members of the Standing Committee to your letter of October 6 by categorically rejecting the notion that any of us have an obligation to "demonstrate" anything to you. We have no such duty and I question the authority by which you would make such a request.
In closing, I want to echo your comments about serving the mission of Christ. I too, have enjoyed serving our Lord alongside of you and I will continue to pray for your ministry, service, and proclamation of the Gospel.
Yours in Faith,
David Wilson President Standing Committee
Cc: Standing Committee
The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan
Robert G. Devlin, Esq.
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