Monday 19th June 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has issued a statement on the election of the Rt Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, in succession to the Most Revd Frank Griswold:
I send my greetings to Bishop Katharine and she has my prayers and good wishes as she takes up a deeply demanding position at a critical time. She will bring many intellectual and pastoral gifts to her new work, and I am pleased to see the strength of her commitment to mission and to the Millennium Development Goals.
Her election will undoubtedly have an impact on the collegial life of the Anglican Primates; and it also brings into focus some continuing issues in several of our ecumenical dialogues.
We are continuing to pray for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church as it confronts a series of exceptionally difficult choices.
Earlier today Dr Rowan Williams spoke to Bishop Schori by telephone to assure her of prayers as she prepares to take up her post.
The quotes around the word 'prayers' in the headline are in the original press release at www.archbishopofcanterbury.org - Greg
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Well, it’s nice to see that no matter how wide a gulf there might be between the Archbishop and the new PooBah, and no matter how impossible her election makes keeping the Anglican Communion together, they at least agree on what’s really important--support of the meaningless drivel emanating from Turtle Bay. Posted by David Fischler on 06-19-2006 at 09:22 AM [link]
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Yes Milton, I think you are onto something here. Perhaps it says more than initially meets the eye. Posted by CT6Sister on 06-19-2006 at 09:23 AM [link]
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Please help me read between the lines. 1) Is there an archive showing Rowan Williams’s other messages to newly elected primates? I always like contract and compare. 2) She does have his good wishes, or is that just polite bishop talk? 3) How strong of a statement is it that he notes an impact? I notice he didn’t say “strain” on either the collegial life of the AC or on the ecumenical dialogue. 4) It seems friendly enough to get a invite to Lambeth. Or is this just typical British reserve and cordiality even when you are doing the British snub? Posted by Gayle on 06-19-2006 at 09:28 AM [link]
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Gayle, It is as I thought it would be. It gives away little-- he offers his prayers and good-will (which is to be expected) and he points out the problems this election poses to the collegial life of the Primates and inter-church relations. He also points her (and others) back to the decisions TEC has to make at this time. Wisely, I think (although I understand the desire for an end, finally), the ABC isn’t allowing this election to force his hand. The time will come, but it will come when he is able to respond effectively. My thoughts. Posted by farstrider on 06-19-2006 at 09:38 AM [link]
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Interesting that point on the quotation marks on the Archbishop’s own site describing it.
Posted by paddy on 06-19-2006 at 09:56 AM [link]
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In English-speak, this is a VERY large statement. “Esceptionally difficult choices” says it all. Will TEC walk with the Communion or not? Evidently not. Her election having an “impact” on “collegial life” means just that. In other words, there will be ramnifications. Posted by Milton Finch on 06-19-2006 at 09:59 AM [link]
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I respectifully disagree with those who view this statement as affirming Bp. Schori’s election as PB. This statement acknowledges the fact of Bp. Schori’s election. Nothing more. No congratulations, no welcome. The reference to millenial dev. goals is polite taking note that the ABC shares those goals. Nothing about working together to advance Christ’s kingdom. The rest of the statement is a solemn warning that this election will harm the Communion. Note also the GC hasn’t finished yet. The HOD debates the Windsor resolutions today. The ABC wants to wait until ECUSA has finished speaking before he reacts. Posted by Publius on 06-19-2006 at 10:26 AM [link]
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Gentlemen, in the end, please don’t place your hopes on the AOC. Lead. Posted by Going Home on 06-19-2006 at 10:47 AM [link]
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I was referencing the orthodox, not ECUSA (sorry, forgot, TEC) Posted by Going Home on 06-19-2006 at 10:48 AM [link]
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Publius, I don’t think anyone suggested that ++Rowan has “affirmed” her election. The whole point behind this communique is that it is opaque. He’s holding his cards closely to his chest. It is *possible* that he will try to exert some pressure on TEC to overturn the election… but I doubt he really expects them to do so. He is an intelligent man, and I think he understands quite well what TEC has done. I have little doubt that the election reflects a certain post-modern idealism-- “glass ceilings shattering”, what-not; but I also think there was a far more prosaic (read “cynical” and “calculating") reason to choose who they did. Posted by farstrider on 06-19-2006 at 11:10 AM [link]
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No Congratulations...prayers.