But many in the Los Angeles diocese speak of Bruce, the longtime rector of St. Clement’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in San Clemente, in reverential tones.
A banking executive for 17 years before she entered the priesthood, Bruce is widely credited with saving her San Clemente church from economic ruin. Her banking background has put her in high demand throughout the diocese, with top leaders and church rectors seeking her counsel.
Those who know Bruce, who is married with two adult children, also say she is spiritual, direct and self-effacing, a priest who knows how to minister to rich and poor alike. She is a cancer survivor who speaks three languages — Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese — and understands the diocese’s multicultural makeup, they say.
“If people looked at who Diane is, they would be absolutely amazed,” said the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, the diocese’s primary bishop.
Bruce says she feels no ill will about [Mary] Glasspool’s capturing so much of the spotlight. “It never occurred to me that any attention would be paid to me being the first woman [bishop] because it’s been done before” in other dioceses, she said.
Does she speak English, or just Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese? 🙂
Sounds like the list of qualifications for the next PB-elect.
Now that we’ve gotten the traditional sniping out of the way, I’ll point out that the chart from DFMS for the parish doesn’t show quite so spectacular results. It’s a stable parish, to be sure, with ASA hovering about 180. But that’s against ASA in 1999 of about 150-160. It’s perhaps more a case of averted disaster rather than resurrection.
Of the candidates she had the best reputation among the greatest swath of the diocese, including the conservatives. She will be good to the remaining traditionalists– I’ve seen it (her benevolence to conservatives, including opponents of women’s ordination) before and I have her word on it. She is a friend of folks on both ends of the spectrum here in LA and she really does want us to stay.
FWIW
As a former staff member at St. Clement’s Church (prior to DJB’s arrival), I know first-hand that she did, indeed, avert a disaster. The former priest was guilty of dozens of sexual misconduct allegations spanning more than 15 years, to which he admitted guilt. The parish blew apart, lost lots of members, and was adrift in a mire of poor leadership unwilling to take any responsibility for the mess. Then DJB was hired. She’s no-nonsense, clear thinking, and truthful. And slowly, but surely, she put the parish back together.
Although I am no longer a member of the Episcopal Church, I have the utmost respect for DJB. She indeed has a great reputation in her diocese and was the favorite going in to the election. Too bad her election has been overshadowed by the runner up.
I was struck by how she used the newspaper interview to give witness to her faith in God, and her sense of God’s mercy throughout her life journey. We may disagree on some very important issues, but it is still moving to see testimony.
I should have been more clear in my earlier comment that I was making a point about the writer of the article exhibiting sloppy writing, and not commenting on the suffragan bishop-elect.