Convention Journal - Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh

That the Diocese of Pittsburgh commends all women in the diocese for their ministry, especially those who are
ordained; affirms its intent to continue raising up, ordaining, and supporting women as priests in this diocese;
and designates 2006 as a year of celebration of women’s ministry in the diocese during which time the diocese
will make special effort to encourage women in the discernment of their calls.
The Rev. William Ilgenfritz, St. Mary’s, Charleroi then spoke to it and moved to postpone the resolution
indefinitely; it was seconded.
After debate on the motion to postpone indefinitely, the Rev. Jim Simons, Ligonier, moved the previous
question. It was seconded. Postponing indefinitely was defeated.
Convention then returned to debate the original motion.
The Rev. David Wilson moved to amend the motion, citing the 5 th whereas clause – whereas the
diocese…adding “equally” before respecting and substituting “do not hold” for “have not come to.” The Rev.
Whis Hays seconded the motion to amend and then spoke in favor of it. Debate followed.
When the time for debate had expired, there was no motion made to extend debate and a vote was called for on
the amendment. Voice vote was indecisive; standing vote showed that the amendments passed.
Vote on the main amended motion followed and the resolution was passed by voice vote (see final text below).
Resolution #2 (As Adopted)
Whereas the Episcopal Church recognized in 1972 that women serving in the diaconate were a part of the
ordained ministries of this church; and
Whereas women have been ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Communion since the historic priesting
of the Reverend Dr. Florence Li Tim­Oi in 1944 and regularly so since the ordination of women to the
priesthood was re­established in 1971 by the Diocese of Hong Kong; and
Whereas 2006 will be the 30th anniversary of the General Convention decision to support women's ordination
to the priesthood; and
Whereas the Diocese of Pittsburgh was among the first to ordain women to the priesthood following the 1976
General Convention, when the Right Reverend Robert Bracewell Appleyard, fifth bishop of Pittsburgh, priested
the Reverend Beryl T. Choi on 8 January 1977; and
Whereas the Diocese of Pittsburgh has ordained women called to the priesthood while equally respecting those
who do not hold this same theological position,
Therefore, Be it Resolved
That the Diocese of Pittsburgh commends all women in the diocese for their ministry, especially those who are
ordained; affirms its intent to continue raising up, ordaining, and supporting women as priests in this diocese;
and designates 2006 as a year of celebration of women's ministry in the diocese during which time the diocese
will make special effort to encourage women in the discernment of their calls.
The Rev. Steve Smalley, St. Barnabas, Brackenridge presented a ministry minute on the Interfaith Hospitality
Network, a partnership of St. Andrew’s & St. Barnabas, reaching out to homeless in their communities.
Pastor Don Green, Executive Director of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania addressed the
deputies, inviting them to encourage parishioners and congregations to join in prison ministries for those
incarcerated and for those who are adjusting after having been released. He also announced that CASWP
continues their TV ministry on cable.
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