[Scott] Benhase replaces the outgoing Rt. Rev. Henry I. Louttit, who is retiring after serving 15 years as bishop of the diocese.
The Diocese of Georgia is one of 116 dioceses that comprise the 2 million-member Episcopal Church.
The denomination traces its Georgia roots to the founding of the colony and the congregation of Christ Church in 1733.
Is the “116 dioceses” a misprint, or has 815 annexed another South American country?
I would like to hear from someone who was there. Anything to report?
The photo gallery attached to the news story is fantastic.
The PB’s cope is also fantastic, in another way. I’ve never seen anything like it. Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors, perhaps. At least she wasn’t wearing the famous oven mitt-er.
I’ve gotten a report from someone who was there. It was superbly organized. The chancel area of the large conference room was beautifully and tastefully decorated, using items from local churches. The low church, Rite II liturgy was precision from beginning to end, obviously well-rehearsed. The PB presided with great dignity, solemnity, and presence. I don’t have a list of bishops. Liberal Bps. Chane and Parsley were there. (I’d assume that Bp. Lawrence was at the Mere Anglicanism conference.) She says that some bishops in Roman attire were there, but she did not see whether they received communion. The Rev. Paul Zahl was the preacher. There seems to be divided opinion about the sermon; what I’ve heard is “long and rambling.”
The music report is also good. Because it’s a conference center, they brought in an electronic “organ.” The offertory anthem was Harris’ “Behold the Tabernacle of God,” and it was well-sung by a choir taken from the diocese. Responsorial psalm, not Anglican chant. Some soloists were brought in from DC, rather than using local singers.
Word on the street is that Bp. Louttit took no action on the Glasspool consent, leaving that to his successor, and that the Standing Committee met before the consecration. No word on that. He has a lot on his plate, and the actions that he takes now will certainly determine the short-term and long-term future of the financially-challenged diocese, which is in litigation over the Christ Church departure. He will preside at his first diocesan convention in a few weeks.
May God bless him, strengthen him, and guide him.
QUESTION: Is any Anglo-Catholic out there keeping a tally of the bishops KJS consecrates? I know so far we’ve got Benhase, Johnston of VA, Hollerith of SoVA.
EXPANSION: I am officially agnostic on the issue of WO, but I like to err on the safe side at the very least to stay on good relations with the whole of the communion, the Orthodox, and the RCs. As such, I would rather not be ordained by a female bishop or by a male bishop whose orders are in question by virtue of his being consecrated by a female bishop. (Please, let’s not get into the whole, well there were other male bishops present; if KJS is the chief consecrator, that’s a problem in the eyes of a lot of folks). Also, is there a list of deacons and priests who have been ordained by women bishops? IS anyone keeping track out there?
I imagine most of the responses I’ll get to this question are, well you should just get out of TEC. If that’s your response, don’t worry about posting; I’ve heard the lecture and sincerely appreciate the advice.
But seriously… anyone keeping track of these questionable orders?
The intent of the requirement of having at least 3 bishops present is to preserve the apostolic succession. It looks like there were more than a dozen, and I don’t see any other females in the photos. So, Ole Rafe thinks he’s OK. An episcopal consecration done by the PB and two other females would pose real questions, not only for the new bishop’s pedigree, but also for the priests and deacons that he might ordain, and confirmations. (But that would take this thread way off topic.)
For me, the proof of the validity of the consecration will be how he holds to his ordination vows, particularly in areas relating to Holy Scripture and church unity.
Officially, the Romans don’t recognize Anglican orders at all. Anyone who swims the Tiber gets re-ordained. That being said, another story floating around is that the Romans in Savannah would have allowed their cathedral to be used for the Benhase consecration (as a generous pastoral response), but did not since the chief consecrator would be female. (If that’s true, my opinion of that would also take the thread off topic.)
(Elves, feel free to edit or delete!)
I believe that KJS was there for Dabney Smith – SW FL; Andy Doyle – TX; Kee Sloan – AL Suff. Those are three off the top of my head.
RE: “That being said, another story floating around is that the Romans in Savannah would have allowed their cathedral to be used for the Benhase consecration (as a generous pastoral response), but did not since the chief consecrator would be female.”
This is good news — they’re not going along with giving KJS the esteem of the use of their building or of acknowledgement. I heartily approve — particularly given her open disdain for Roman Catholicism . . . why assist in her pretensions as a Christian leader?
Perhaps the Elves have been watching football tonight. Let’s see how far we can take this, since nobody really seems interested in the Bp of GA’s consecration. (Maybe the consecration of the new Bp of USC will generate more interest. I might go to that.)
Sarah writes, “…her pretensions as a Christian leader.” I’ve seen her in person some months ago. She has an unearthly, powerful, and commanding presence in a room. Hypnotic, really. I disagree with about every decision she has made, and every action she has taken, but I don’t doubt that she’s a leader who is progressively acquiring more authority and power than any previous PB. What’s the German word for “leader”?
Others, much more qualified than I, can opine on whether she is a Christian.
Heh — perhaps I should have emphasized the word “Christian.”
; > )
It’s interesting, your comments on her presence. I was just speaking to a person recently who considers her simply a woman who doesn’t have all that many people skills, is an introverted scientist, and is somewhat awkward. That squares with my impression of her . . . but I haven’t been “in the same room” with her. The person who described her, however, has, and lunch as well.
My impression is that mostly she’s just awkward and doesn’t have great social skills.
I do agree about her accruing power.
But I like her personally far better than Griswold, most likely because she hasn’t been able to pull the wool over people’s eyes about being all “moderate.”
I’ve met KJS (at the consecration of Bishop Benfield of Arkansas for those keeping tabs of who she has consecrated). I must agree with Ralph. I found her to have a captivating presence in service and to be very personable with a good sense of humor in the few minutes I was able to visit with her.