- Approximately 2.2 million members in North, Central and South America.  Of those members, around 800,000 attend church on any given Sunday morning

- Comprised of 113 dioceses, of which the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is one.

- Diocese: The basic unit of the Episcopal Church, overseen by a bishop (bishop in Greek is "episcopos" which means "overseer"); it is this diocesan structure that distinguishes the Episcopal Church, and thus give it its name.

- Parish: The local administrative unit of the diocese; not totally autonomous, but rather part of a larger whole – both the diocese and the national church as well as the Anglican Communion.

- The Bishop is the chief pastor of a diocese.  The main bishop of a diocese is responsible for church order (what is taught and what rites are celebrated) and thus is called the Diocesan Bishop.  The Diocesan Bishop of Pittsburgh is the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan.  A diocese may also have a suffragan assistant bishop.  The Diocese of Pittsburgh’s assistant bishop is the Rt. Rev. Henry Scriven.

- Presiding Bishop: The Chief Pastor and Primate of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The current Presiding Bishop is The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold (who retires Nov. 4, 2006 when the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori is consecrated).  Elected at General Convention to serve a nine year term, the Presiding bishop holds a place of honor and spiritual leadership in the church, but has little direct legislative control over actions in individual dioceses. 

- General Convention: the legislative, or governing, body of the Episcopal Church; has met every 3 years since 1789. The 75th General Convention was June, 2006 in Columbus, OH.

- Canon Law:  The specialized body of internal church laws that govern the actions of dioceses and parishes in the Episcopal Church.  These laws can only be changed by the General Convention, and then only be two votes at consecutive general conventions.

Resources for further information:

• The official website of the Episcopal Church is here:  
• Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons are here: