A great Bishop

The bishop belongs to all.
Let no one be scandalized if I frequent
Those who are considered unworthy
Or sinful. Who is not a sinner?
Let no one be alarmed if I am seen
With compromised and dangerous people,
On the left or the right.
Let no one bind me to a group.
My door, my heart, must be open
To everyone, absolutely everyone.

The Most Reverend Dom Hélder Pessoa Câmara

former Archbishop  of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife

This is taken from the installation of Bp Katherine Jefferts-Schori many years ago as the American Presiding Bishop

She has in my mind been a great leader during difficult times. Her time is coming to an end.
There is much to be thankful for about her leadership.....
...refusing to be bullied
...remaining steadfast in the faith
...and apart from all that   seeming to command a sense of humour

Lest we forget that the Church is just as ridiculous

I am ever conscious when I write about anything institutional be it politics, education, or social issues that the Church is not much different. Indeed in many senses it is is more ridiculous than most!

Blogging, as I have been, about the raucous political events that no sees Australia with its first woman Prime minister, I have noted how commentators often seem obsessed by what women wear.

Well lest we forget my aforementioned truth that the Church is just as bizarre, here's a little story about how one of my heroes, Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori who happens to be the Presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church, was trifled with during a recent visit to Southwark Cathedral in London.

Apparently the Dean of Southwark made the mistake of asking what protocols might need to apply and was told make from the Archbishop of Canterbury's office, that she should not wear her hat!! (that is, the special hat called the 'mitre' which recalls the tongues of flames which came on the first apostles at Pentecost)

This curiosity is all the more curious when you consider there had been other occasions where she had been seen out in public hat and all (see the follow up here!!)

Bishop K kindly went along with this power-play and carried her hat!

In a Communion, where we have at times prided ourselves on the fact that at least we can be civil. It is offensive when such pettiness takes place.

Title fight

I am having a bit of a stoush on another site (here) about the use of appropriate titles.
this is largely because certain nasty people insist on referring to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church as Mrs Schori.
Let us not pretend they do not know what they are doing.
By not even according her the minimalist title The Reverend Katherine Jefferts-Schori they are saying she is not even an ordained priest.
She is properly styled the Most Rev'd Katherine...etc, which puts her on the same sort of level as our own Primate, The Most Rev'd Philip Aspinall, and the Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Rev'd Rowan Williams.
Now on one level it doesn't matter, because many people will happily call her Katherine, just as I get called Stephen by young and old alike. On a formal level I like to be called Father Stephen. On an official level I am styled The Rev'd Fr Stephen Clark. And it all doesn't bother me very much.
I rather think, as a matter of courtesy, people should be styled (within reason) as they want to be...thus I prefer as a Catholic Anglican to be called Father Stephen rather than Mr Clark.
If and when I get a doctorate I will still prefer to be called Father rather than Dr (unless I need to bulk-bill).
But of course, there seems so much vitriol in all this name calling of women by men who simply wouldn't make it in the episcopal race. And so they name call.
No wonder people desert the church in droves!

American thoughts

A very interesting discussion (webcast) with Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA here ,about the recent Primates' Meeting of the Anglican Communion.
For those who think that Bishop Katharine is the devil-incarnate, or some malevolent force hell bent on being something or other which they don't like, this is a good antidote.
You probably need Broadband to watch this interview. General information here