This September, Trinity Cathedral members will be discussing a resolution of Cathedral Chapter that would make it possible for Trinity to continue to be the cathedral church for all who are currently part of the diocese, regardless of their future Anglican affiliation.  Their work has the full support of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan.

 

Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh is a city landmark.  It is built on land originally set aside for the purpose by the William Penn family in 1787.

The Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will consider whether or not to realign as a diocese with another province of the Anglican Communion during its annual meeting on October 4.  While a majority of the diocese’s elected deputies supported the proposition on its first reading at the diocesan convention in 2007, other individuals and congregations have made it clear that they will remain with The Episcopal Church in the event that realignment receives final approval.

 

The resolution states that the Cathedral “does not wish to be compelled to make an exclusive choice” between Anglican worshipping communities.  It goes on to lay out a practical system by which the Cathedral could serve both groups.  That system envisions giving seats on the Cathedral’s governing bodies to representatives of both contingents, inviting the bishops of both to serve as co-presidents of the Cathedral Chapter, and working with both on issues such as clergy appointments.

 

According to Cathedral Provost Canon Catherine Brall, the draft resolution was prepared over the last several months by the Cathedral Chapter and sent to all active members of Trinity on August 22.  Cathedral parish members will have a number of opportunities to discuss the resolution over the next three weeks, and then will come together for a final all-parish meeting on September 14.

 

Canon Brall praised the work of the Chapter, saying that the ideas encapsulated in the resolution “grew out of a very thorough and wonderful season of Chapter members seeking to envision how Trinity Cathedral might best position itself to fulfill its unique identity and destiny as a historic Penn Land Grant Church deeded to foster and preserve Anglican and Episcopal worship.”

 

Bishop Duncan also thanked the Chapter for their work and commended the resolution to the Cathedral parish membership.  “Trinity Cathedral, more than any other church building in the diocese, belongs not just to whoever may “win” the right to administer it in our sad divisions, but to all of us, to the city, and the whole region.  I see this resolution as a good initiative to acknowledge and protect that unique role and to protect the Cathedral’s future as Mother Church of all Anglicans and of the City,” he said.

 

The full text of the resolution is here (pdf).