FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 21, 2002

CONTACT: The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan (412) 281-6131 *

A RESPONSE TO NEW WESTMINSTER

We, the undersigned bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, express our gravest sorrow and alarm over the decision of the Bishop and Diocese of New Westminster (British Colombia, Canada) to develop a rite for the blessing of same-sex unions. This decision repudiates the clear teaching of our Lord, and the Holy Scriptures, the virtually unanimous witness of the Christian tradition, the Lambeth Conference of Bishops from the whole of the Anglican Communion, and the Canadian House of Bishops.

The blessing of same-sex unions violates our communion as Christians, and with the deepest sadness, we declare that by this action those who subscribe to the decision of Synod on June 15, 2002 in the Diocese of New Westminster are departing from Anglican tradition in both teaching and practice. It is not within the purview of a diocese to act unilaterally in such matters. We categorically reject this decision and we urgently call upon the Bishop and Synod of New Westminster to refrain from implementing it.

We declare our solidarity with those faithful clergy and congregations who have dissociated themselves from the Bishop and Diocese of New Westminster for conscience and the gospel. We pledge to them our support and our love.

Signatories as of June 21, 2002:

The Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy The Rt. Rev. C. Fitzsimons Allison, Bishop of South Carolina, Retired The Rt. Rev. David S. Ball, Bishop of Albany, Retired The Rt. Rev. Peter H. Beckwith, Bishop of Springfield The Rt. Rev. David J. Bena, Bishop Suffragan of Albany The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez, Bishop of Texas, Retired The Rt. Rev. William J. Cox, Bishop Suffragan of Maryland, Retired The Rt. Rev. Alex D. Dickson, Bishop of West Tennessee, Retired The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Jr., Bishop of Pittsburgh The Rt. Rev. Andrew H. Fairfield, Bishop of North Dakota The Rt. Rev. William C. Frey, Bishop of Colorado, Retired The Rt. Rev. Bertram N. Herlong, Bishop of Tennessee The Rt. Rev. Daniel W. Herzog, Bishop of Albany The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida The Rt. Rev. Donald M. Hultstrand, Bishop of Springfield, Retired The Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, Bishop of Fort Worth The Rt. Rev. Stephen H. Jecko, Bishop of Florida The Rt. Rev. Terrence Kelshaw, Bishop of Rio Grande The Rt. Rev. Edward H. MacBurney, Bishop of Quincy, Retired The Rt. Rev. Hugo L. Pina-Lopez, Assistant Bishop of Central Florida The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, Bishop of San Joaquin The Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton, Bishop of Dallas The Rt. Rev. William C. Wantland, Bishop of Eau Claire, Retired

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