PITTSBURGH, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Thirteen U.S. Episcopal bishops upset with the confirmation of an Episcopal gay bishop are forming a rival "network," but say it doesn't represent a schism.
Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh said he has been named moderator and convening authority of the dissident network, called the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.
"We're not leaving, we're not separating ourselves," Duncan told the New York Times. "What we trust is going to happen is that the rest of the world and the rest of the Christian community are going to bring such pressure to bear on the whole of this church that it steps back from this event."
An organizational meeting is scheduled Jan. 19-20 in Plano, Texas.
The August general convention of the Episcopal Church U.S.A. approved the election of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire.
