Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori became the first woman elected to lead a church in the global Anglican Communion when she was picked Sunday to be the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.It was another groundbreaking and controversial move for a denomination that consecrated Anglicanism's first openly gay bishop just three years ago.
Jefferts Schori said she was "awed and honored and deeply privileged to be elected" and that she would "bend over backward to build relationships with people who disagree with me."
Which--from the looks of the article--are plenty of folks:
Gasps could be heard throughout the vast convention hall when Jefferts Schori's name was announced.
Rev. Canon Chris Sugden said that her election "shows that the Episcopal leadership is going to do what they want to do regardless of what it means to the rest of the communion." Rev. Eddie Blue of Maryland said, "I am shocked, dismayed and saddened by the choice." I’m dismayed and saddened that people could find the idea of a woman as a religious leader so distressing.
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my grandfather on my mother's side left the american episcopal church for the anglican church when they started allowing women to minister.
he also disowned my mom two years after her mother passed forward - so, i figured, as my mom's pretty amazing, there must be something really good about the episcopal church!
now, as they're facing more flak than ever, my prayers are definitely with them. it's not an easy thing to take a stance that each of us is an amazing creation and not just straight men.
I'm an Episcopal priest, Diocese of Vermont, where we bless civil unions and all that good stuff. I'm amazed, overwhelmed, over the moon at the election! We were all resigned to the inevitability that it couldn't happen: First woman ever nominated for PB, tiny diocese, only been a bishop for five years. Is this a miracle? What else could you call it?
Those who think this is some kind of affront to the Two-thirds World should take a look at Jenny Te Paa's homily to Convention on June 17 (posted on the Episcopal News Service site, www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens).
Ditto the above. I am very pleased to be a member of this church; I became an Episcopalian about 5 years ago). This is a truly awesome event. And I don't really give a flying flip if there's a break in the Communion. Ya gotta stand up for what you believe.
I think the Episcopal Church USA is in a very good place to be the beacon to the world with regards Christianity. Let's hope they rise to the challenge.