Monday, May 16, 2011

“Suing Churches? Who, Us?”

The “bishop” of The Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Pittsburgh, Kenneth Price, has given his clergy some talking points on TEC’s litigious attacks on Bishop Duncan’s Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh (belonging to ACNA).

The Anglican Curmudgeon has fisked the TEC spin of these talking points in his usual withering style and detail. I will not duplicate his excellent post here. But one talking point from puppet “Bishop” Price stands out:

Is the Episcopal Church continuing to sue the realigned diocese?

No, it is the other way around and has been for over a year. The Stipulation signed by Bishop Duncan and diocesan leaders in 2005 came into play with the realignment vote and, after Judge James’ ruling regarding its application in 2009, it has been the realigned diocese which has been suing to appeal, rehear and overturn this ruling.



Oh dear. Such an absurdity tempts me to intemperate language. As the Curmudgeon points out, the case in question is under appeal, meaning the lawsuit continues. The Episcopal Church and its diocese have in no way stopped or withdrawn their lawsuit. For “Bishop” Price to twist this into saying The Episcopal Church is not suing the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh is contemptible deceit. Anyone who tells such a – well it is hardly even a half-truth – under church auspices truly has no shame.

It reminds me of the following scripture:

This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”
Proverbs 30:20 ESV

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