While I was trying to find a quote on Wikipedia (don't ask, I'm obsessive), I stumbled upon this page for Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris. She was the first woman ever ordained as a bishop in the United States Episcopal Church. And, she's been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember. Wikipedia actually has a pretty good bio of her. They talk about her road to election as a bishop in 1989. I haven't seen her for a long time, but when I think about the women that inspire me, she's on the list. One of the things I love is that while I can't relate to her deeply held religious beliefs, she has (like I try to) always fought for the rights of women in her world. Sadly, of course, the Episcopal Church hasn't gotten past the fighting that occurred when she was ordained. In fact, things have gotten much worse.
I also found this great copy of a sermon she gave on the 25th anniversary of the first ordination of women in the priesthood in the Episcopal church. (Incidentally, the sermon was delivered at the church where I was baptized, which didn't turn out so well, but it's still a great place) Check it out, the whole thing is awesome.
Now I want to try to speak a little truth here tonight. And I am going to be brief and, as often accused, I am going to be blunt. I do, however, have to choose my words very carefully in that I not only tend to be quoted, I frequently tend to get misquoted. I don't mind the former, in context - it's the latter that ticks me off.To begin with, last year's decennial gathering of apostolic eagles - which included its share of turkeys - the Lambeth Conference, brought a defining melding of these two questions.
Despite the development of a critical mass of ordained women, including eleven bishops, at Lambeth we were left wondering what had happened to the dream of a kinder, gentler church. The conference resolution concerning ordination of women and its odious amendment - authored by two women bishops in concert with some conservative male bishops - totally ignored any positive impact the church has experienced through ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate over the past 25 years. It was a stunning denigration of the more than 6000 women in Orders from Utah to Uganda, to say nothing of those who have yet to respond to God's call. Rather, having tasted blood with the much amended resolution on human sexuality, the princes of the church moved in for the kill on the people they really hold in low esteem - WOMEN.
What a gift it was to have someone like her in my life. She's just one of the many people from my childhood that lead me to the feminism. And now that I'm thinking about it I feel like I need to look her up for a talk.
P.S. Writing this without cursing was tough, but I figured I owe it to Barbara. Not that she would really mind. I remember the smoking, drinking and trips to Atlantic City.
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Barbara Harris is an old hero to this Episcopalian. Yes, things have gotten ugly in the Anglican Communion, but please know that those who support same-sex marriage and the ordination of women are the majority in the Episcopal Church USA. The conservative minority has brought in heavy guns from Africa and Asia to help them out, but we've won the battle for hearts and minds here. Actually, Jesus won -- through people like Barbara -- but that's another story.
I envy that you know her.
Thanks, Hugo. You said that well.
I am also soooo jealous that Bp. Harris is a family friend! I'm a lifetime feminist activist who is preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church (I'm currently in seminary) and I am constantly astonished at the abundance of brave, smart, funny, challenging women of the Episcopal Church. And it's SUCH a relief to see religious women honored on a feminist website. The conventional wisdom seems to be that religion is so utterly oppressive that nothing ever truly liberating can happen there, while really it's usually about as oppressive as the culture which surrounds it (although sometimes it lights the way to progress and sometimes it shuts out the lights entirely).
Maybe you could look at Bp. Nedi Rivera, the Bishop of my diocese, who is the first Hispanic female bishop (and also part of the first father/daughter bishop set ever)? Or Rev. Carter Heyward, who was also one of the first women ordained, and who has done powerful, powerful work around sex, gender, power and authority? Or the big One herself, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the whole darn country?
Hey, the Episcopal Church is as strong as its members - some of us will "get past" things more quickly than others. Hype about uber-conservative parishes (for Episcopalians, they really *were* stretching it) seems to have ruined it for Jen. There are those of us in the community who continue to worship in our own way, well within the bounds of liberal, reasoned religious thought. Female priests, female bishops, gay priests and bishops, whatever. Just because I'm not screaming Jesus doesn't mean I'm not religious - and just even when we're not in the news, the Episcopal church from where I sit (mostly in the choir stalls) is a healthy, living entity.
Thanks for the great post, Jen!
I was confirmed in one of those wealthy Episcopal churches that are now leaving to place themselves under the authority of the homophobic bigot Akinola. I truly and honestly cannot understand how someone purportedly filled with the love of Christ can say and think such horrible, ugly things about his gay brothers and sisters. Heartbreaking doesn't even begin to describe it.
This is such a strange place for me... I care very deeply about many of the people who were heavily involved in the recent and ongoing separation from the local diocese (including my own father), but at the same time I don't agree with what they're doing.
Anyway, as difficult as it is to watch my beloved adopted church being torn apart, I think that God can use this to ultimately work for the good. Right now I'm in the process of becoming a member of a wonderful theologically conservative, socially progressive parish that I adore. Both of the priests are gay men and are among the kindest Christians I know. The Rector delivered a fantastic sermon this week about understanding and integrating the scriptures into our lives without being blinded by the hatred and discrimination that are, sadly, all too often attached to them. I love that I've found a place that can recognize the value in our historic traditions and utilize the good in them, without the corresponding bad occasioned by less thoughtful Christians.
Anyway, I always feel a small surge of pride when I see people talk about my church. It's far from perfect, but I truly believe that, on the whole, the Episcopal church is a force for good in this world, and I'm blessed enough to have found a parish that adds to that net good.
Also, we are pretty cool, what with the drinking and the smoking and the swearing ;)