Episcopal diocese offers not to defrock clergy

Officials from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh offered Monday to release about 100 priests and deacons from the diocese rather than strip them of their ordinations ...

[Joe DeCaro]

"... When similar splits have occurred elsewhere, diocesan officials chose to defrock clergy who left, said the Rev. James Simons, rector of St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church in Ligonier. Simons is the president of the diocesan standing committee.

"'It's a pastoral move,' Simons said.'These are people we were once in ministry with. We want them to go where they believe God is leading them."

[LadyeHawke]

Joe DeCaro wrote:

"... When similar splits have occurred elsewhere, diocesan officials chose to defrock clergy who left, said the Rev. James Simons, rector of St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church in Ligonier. Simons is the president of the diocesan standing committee.
"'It's a pastoral move,' Simons said.'These are people we were once in ministry with. We want them to go where they believe God is leading them."

How thoughtful.