One notable feature that will immediately grab the attention of some of us, especially those familiar with the Diocese of Virginia, is the prominent role of the Rev. Lauren Stanley as a writer for this daily publication. She is the priest that was recalled from Sudan by Bishop Lee after ++Daniel Deng Bul Yak made it clear that she was no longer welcome there. She is a longtime supporter of the Integrity movement in TEC, and a vocal, enthusiastic one. In a word, she is an “ideological reappraiser,” a highly partisan liberal.
But there are no strong advocates of a conservative viewpoint among the Center Aisle editorial staff or writers. Surprise, surprise.
This will be +Peter Lee’s last GenCon as an active bishop. He retires in October, after almost 25 years in office. And in more ways than one, his time is up. He used to be widely respected as a true centrist, and he continues to epitomize what an admirable “institutional reappraiser” and broad churchman looks like. But his credibility took a huge hit when he caved in to the pressure supplied by the PB regarding the lawsuits against the block of parishes that left in late 2006, early 2007.
Moeover, the ideological reappraisers seem to be in the driver’s seat now, led by ++KJS herself, and the “center aisle” itself has moved significantly to the left over the last decade, and especially the last several years. With about 20 churches having departed the Diocese of VA in the last three years, including some of the largest, wealthiest, and most spiritually healthy parishes, the Diocese of VA is far weaker, and far less diverse and representative than it used to be.
Too bad. Bp. Lee started well, but his long, distinguished tenure has ended in disaster. It’s a grim reminder that in ministry, as in a race, it’s not how you start that matters, it’s how you finish.
One notable feature that will immediately grab the attention of some of us, especially those familiar with the Diocese of Virginia, is the prominent role of the Rev. Lauren Stanley as a writer for this daily publication. She is the priest that was recalled from Sudan by Bishop Lee after ++Daniel Deng Bul Yak made it clear that she was no longer welcome there. She is a longtime supporter of the Integrity movement in TEC, and a vocal, enthusiastic one. In a word, she is an “ideological reappraiser,” a highly partisan liberal.
But there are no strong advocates of a conservative viewpoint among the Center Aisle editorial staff or writers. Surprise, surprise.
This will be +Peter Lee’s last GenCon as an active bishop. He retires in October, after almost 25 years in office. And in more ways than one, his time is up. He used to be widely respected as a true centrist, and he continues to epitomize what an admirable “institutional reappraiser” and broad churchman looks like. But his credibility took a huge hit when he caved in to the pressure supplied by the PB regarding the lawsuits against the block of parishes that left in late 2006, early 2007.
Moeover, the ideological reappraisers seem to be in the driver’s seat now, led by ++KJS herself, and the “center aisle” itself has moved significantly to the left over the last decade, and especially the last several years. With about 20 churches having departed the Diocese of VA in the last three years, including some of the largest, wealthiest, and most spiritually healthy parishes, the Diocese of VA is far weaker, and far less diverse and representative than it used to be.
Too bad. Bp. Lee started well, but his long, distinguished tenure has ended in disaster. It’s a grim reminder that in ministry, as in a race, it’s not how you start that matters, it’s how you finish.
David Handy+