In 2008, members of Trinity Cathedral voted overwhelmingly in support of a special resolution to serve the Pittsburgh Dioceses of both the Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
The special resolution—previously passed by the Cathedral’s governing body, Cathedral Chapter—takes note of the fact that the land on which Trinity Cathedral sits was part of an historical 1787 indenture of several parcels of land in Pittsburgh to support religious worship of various Christian faiths, establishing the parish as the first place of Anglican and Episcopal worship in Pittsburgh.
Each of three distinct sections of the resolution sends its own message.
First, the resolution affirms the Christian character of the Cathedral and its mission as “A Missionary Cathedral Building Up a Missionary People of God.”
Second, the resolution states the Cathedral’s intention neither to withdraw from The Episcopal Church nor to withdraw from the realigned Anglican Church in North America.
Third, the resolution outlines a delicate framework of governance, comprising several principles by which it will continue to operate under two Diocesan Bishops. The premise of these operating principles is that the two Bishops will be of “equal authority” in the affairs of the Cathedral. The framework also anticipates the possibility that there might be disagreements between these two authorities and outlines some steps that might be taken in that event.
Leadership of both Dioceses have supported the resolution.
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TRINITY CATHEDRAL
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Trinity Cathedral is a Christian Church in the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established for the glory of God and the good of mankind, whose purpose–according to the Charter of the Chapter of Trinity Cathedral (hereinafter “Chapter”) — is “for the public worship of Almighty God according to the faith, doctrine and discipline of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and of such other religious and charitable works as may properly be connected with such cathedral church”;
WHEREAS, in advance of actions that may result in the realignment of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with a Province of the Anglican Communion other than The Episcopal Church in the United States of America (hereinafter “The Episcopal Church”) and a resulting division among the people and parishes that today comprise that Diocese, the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral desire to affirm and declare their unique historical roots and their intentions and aspirations regarding their future;
WHEREAS, in this 250th anniversary year of the founding of Pittsburgh and the first Christian worship in Western Pennsylvania according to the English Book of Common Prayer, Chapter recalls that the parish and property that are now Trinity Cathedral derive from the historic indenture of land on September 24, 1787, which establishes Trinity parish as the first church of Anglican and Episcopal worship in Pittsburgh and which places this parish in a special position to pursue the endeavor represented by this Resolution;
WHEREAS, Chapter recalls its Resolution of September 25, 2003, which affirmed its determination to be the Cathedral for the whole Diocese of Pittsburgh and, insofar as possible, to preserve the unity of The Episcopal Church and to facilitate resolution of divisions within the body of the Church;
WHEREAS, Chapter consistently has declined, in accordance with the aforementioned Resolution of September 25, 2003, to take an official stand on these important issues, and declares that it does not wish to be compelled to make an exclusive choice as to whether it is part of The Episcopal Church or a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral proclaim their allegiance to Jesus Christ and their continued support of the mission of Trinity Cathedral to be “A Missionary Cathedral Building Up a Missionary People of God” for any and all who enter our doors — whether they be our parish members, our diocesan brothers and sisters in Christ, our friends in the arts, our neighbors who live and work in downtown Pittsburgh, or our visitors from near and far.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in living out these resolutions, the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral commit themselves to being a Christian community, in which the love of God is manifest to all; in which the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be evidenced in our practices of self-restraint, mutual accountability, and extending respect and forbearance to those with whom we differ; and in which the fellowship of the Holy Spirit may be exemplified in our choosing to forgive rather than retaliate, to heal hurts rather than nurse grudges, and to remain together when it would be easier and less costly to go our separate ways.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral declare their intention neither to withdraw from The Episcopal Church nor to withdraw from a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh, and affirm that they do not wish to be associated with one exclusive of the other.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral urge their lay and clergy representatives to the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh projected for October 4, 2008, to abstain from any vote whose passage would have the effect of causing the Diocese to realign or otherwise separate from The Episcopal Church.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral affirm their desire to remain a unified Cathedral for what today comprises the whole Diocese of Pittsburgh, even if this means being the Cathedral seat of two Bishops, one from a Diocese within The Episcopal Church and one from a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh, serving their respective parishes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral affirm that full responsibility for the stewardship, protection, and disposition of the property of Trinity Cathedral is and shall remain vested in Chapter or – if Chapter were to disssolve – in whatever other institution (e.g., vestry) that may be charged with the lay governance of Trinity parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that – in the event of a realignment of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and a resulting division among the people and parishes that today comprise that Diocese – the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral declare their intention to govern their affairs according to the following principles:
Of Lay Governance
- Governance and administration of the temporal affairs of the Cathedral shall remain vested in Chapter.
- Membership on Chapter shall include not fewer than nine and not more than thirteen lay members elected from Trinity parish in accordance with applicable By-Laws, thereby constituting the majority of seats on Chapter.
- Membership on Chapter shall also include a maximum of four lay and four clergy members – specifically, up to two lay and two clergy representing parishes within a Diocese of Pittsburgh within the Episcopal Church, and up to two lay and two clergy representing parishes within a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh, to be selected according to the provisions established by their respective authorities.
- All lay officers of Chapter shall be selected from among those Chapter members elected by Trinity parish.
- In the event that there is a Bishop of a Diocese of Pittsburgh within The Episcopal Church different from a Bishop of a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh, both Bishops shall be invited to serve as co-presidents of Chapter, with equal authority to preside over meetings of Chapter.
- In the event that only one of those Bishops accepts said invitation, such invitation shall remain extended to both, and Chapter shall proceed to operate with an “empty seat” and a “silent voice” representing that other Bishop.
- Unless otherwise specified, decisions before Chapter shall require concurrence by a majority of those members present, provided that a quorum exists as established by applicable By-Laws. Decisions to dispose of Cathedral property shall also require concurrence by a two-thirds majority by all lay members elected from Trinity parish.
Of Constitutions and Canons
- In the event that there is both a Diocese of Pittsburgh within The Episcopal Church and a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh within another Province of the Anglican Communion, the Cathedral shall – insofar as possible – operate in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of each.
- In the event that there are differences in these Constitutions and Canons that create a conflict requiring resolution, it shall be the responsibility of both Bishops representing their respective Constitutions and Canons to work together to find an acceptable resolution.
- Without prejudice to the rights of Chapter in regard to the selection and removal of Cathedral clergy, the nomination and appointment of Cathedral clergy (including the Dean), and the discipline of any Cathedral clergy shall also require the concurrence of both Bishops.
- If both Bishops cannot agree on substantive matters within their purview affecting the affairs of the Cathedral, Chapter shall authorize the creation of a special commission comprising three trusted prominent Christian individuals – one appointed by each Bishop and one appointed by Chapter – to mediate in the interests of finding an acceptable resolution, which shall be binding on all affected parties.
Of Representation and Assessments
- In the event that there is both a Diocese of Pittsburgh within the Episcopal Church and a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh within another Province of the Anglican Communion, Trinity Cathedral parish expects to enjoy undiminished voice and representation within the governing bodies of each.
- Trinity Cathedral parish likewise expects to continue to pay its appropriate and equitable diocesan assessment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral declare their earnest desire that a Diocese of Pittsburgh within The Episcopal Church and a realigned Diocese of Pittsburgh call to their respective jurisdictions only those Bishops who are of a mind and spirit to embrace and work within the principles reflected in this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral declare that – in the event that disagreements between these two Bishops substantially threaten the well-being and integrity of the Cathedral – they reserve the right to cease being a cathedral and to revert to being a parish consistent with the provisions of the original land indenture of September 24, 1787, except that such an action shall require concurrence by a two-thirds majority of Chapter members elected by Trinity parish, as well as by a two-thirds majority of those parish members present at each of two consecutive special meetings of the parish congregation, duly convened according to the By-Laws and separated by no fewer than 90 days and no more than 180 days.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that – if circumstances necessitate the application of the principles and provisions of this Special Resolution – the By-Laws governing the parish and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral shall be amended to incorporate these same principles and provisions, and that subsequent amendment of those By-Laws to alter substantively these principles and provisions shall require concurrence by a two-thirds majority of Chapter members elected by Trinity parish and by a two-thirds majority of those parish members present at a special meeting of the parish congregation, duly convened according to the By-Laws.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people and Chapter of Trinity Cathedral look forward to a time when differences and conflicts within the body of the Church can be resolved such that the Cathedral may again serve as the seat and the doorway of a unified Diocese of Pittsburgh.
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be publicized to all lay persons and clergy within the existing Diocese of Pittsburgh and to appropriate authorities within The Episcopal Chuch and the Anglican Communion, with a prayer that – by the grace of God – these principles will serve as a Christian model for reconciliation within divided communities.
