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An inaccurate headline. The Anglican and Episcopal Dioceses have not "teamed" to do anything. And the statement on other property issues was a statement between the TEC diocese and Shepherd's Heart --the Anglican Diocese had nothing to do with it.
Divided
Pittsburgh Episcopal dioceses team to support ministry for homeless, hungry
By Craig
Smith
Tribune-Review
Published: Monday, October 15, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Tribune-Review
Published: Monday, October 15, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Two factions that divided the Episcopal church in
Pittsburgh four years ago as part of a national schism have agreed to work
together to support a ministry for homeless veterans and others in need.
An accord between the Episcopal Diocese of
Pittsburgh and the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh clears the way for Shepherd’s
Heart Fellowship to take title to all property at its Uptown location and to
seek a more favorable financing of its debt.
The Episcopal Diocese considers the ministry of
paramount importance, spokesman Rich Creehan said.
Attorney Andrew Fletcher, representing the Anglican
Diocese, could not be reached for comment.
Shepherd’s Heart, which joined the Anglican Diocese,
feeds the hungry, homeless, poor and addicted. The second floor of the church
at Pride Street and Forbes Avenue includes 15 beds, a kitchen, living room,
showers and a computer room. It provides transitional housing for homeless
veterans.
An estimated 500 to 600 veterans are homeless on any
given night in Allegheny County, said Michele Margittai, director of
development and community relations at Veterans Leadership Program of Western
Pennsylvania, a South Side nonprofit that helps veterans and their families.
Theologically conservative members of the Episcopal
diocese left to form the Anglican diocese in 2008 because of the church’s
stance on abortion and the ordination of a gay bishop.
“Fights in the Episcopalian/Anglican world are
increasing, not decreasing,” said Bryan T. Froehle, professor of practical
theology at St. Thomas University. “But doing things together like this is a
good sign. … Doing some common outreach/community service efforts is terrific
and to be celebrated.”
A joint statement from the two sides said the
agreement shouldn’t be interpreted as a step toward mending their rift, and
they continue to resolve property issues on a parish-by-parish basis. The
agreement needs court approval.
The Episcopal Church USA contends parishes that
leave forfeit control of church buildings and other assets. Those who broke
away from the church argue that diocesan property belongs to the people who
built and maintain it.Courts have upheld the church’s position.
Shepherd’s Heart began in summer 1993 as a mission
program without a home. The Rev. Michael Wurschmidt, then a seminarian at
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, was taking food, coffee,
blankets and clothing to the homeless and needy. The first Sunday night service was in a storefront
in 1995. Shepherd’s Heart moved to its current location, a former Roman
Catholic Church, in 1999.
“More than 140 community partners, including 100
churches of all denominations, work alongside us in this ministry,” Wurschmidt
said in a statement.
Though the Episcopal Diocese no longer will
guarantee payment of Shepherd’s Heart loans when refinancing is completed, the
diocese will leave its equity in the property in place as an investment for as
long as the homeless ministry continues, the diocese said.
Craig Smith is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
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