The Rev. Dr. Leander Harding of Trinity School for Ministry has joined the slate of nominees to become the ninth bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande. Harding is Trinity’s dean of church relations and seminary advancement and associate professor of pastoral theology.
The diocese, which encompasses New Mexico and the southwestern corner of Texas, announced Harding’s nomination by petition on March 20. The electing convention will convene April 24.
The diocese has also released question-and-answer essays by all six nominees. The essays reveal how the nominees envision helping the diocese heal after what the diocesan profile [PDF] describes as an extended period of turmoil in leadership.
Tremendous news! I’d LOVE to see Dr. Harding become a bishop. He’d make a great successor of the apostles, not least in his well-known ability to articulate the apostolic faith with a wondrous lucidity and confidence. It seems natural to go from being a seminary prof with a chair in theology to a bishop who professes the universal Christian faith and holds a chair/cathedra of a different but related sort.
The sad part is that with eight candidates already, many conservatives felt a strong conservative like him still needed to be put on the ballot by petition.
But what in the world are we to make of the jibe in the profile highlighted in this TLC report? I mean the one that somewhat enigmatically says that the last “normal” episcopacy in Rio Grande may have ended in 1972. Ouch! That stings and implies that something was wrong with +Terry Kelshaw and +Jeffrey Steenson, as they weren’t “normal.”
Well, in a way that’s true. They were way ABOVE normal.
David Handy+
Oops, Prof. Harding is the sixth nominee, to become the 9th bishop of that diocese. So I should have said that despite five other nominees, conservatives in Rio Grande still sensed a need for a 6th one who would be unquestionably orthodox. Sorry for the confusion.
David Handy+
Well, Bishop Trelease may have been a (blank), but at least the Catholic Archbishop of Santa Fe participated fully in his consecration (prayers, laying-on of hands and the lot) — and was subsequently rebuked by the Vatican for it.
What that says, David, is that they need another candidate…and are not happy with the ones they have.
I think Dr. Harding would make an excellent bishop. My question is does he have a chance of becoming their bishop?
A final lurch toward orthodoxy? Not going to happen.
Is there even a chance that he could get the required number of consents?
He now has canonical residence in South Carolina (some months back, interestingly enough, Bishop Price pledged Archbishop Duncan – at a meeting at which both men were discussing cathedral matters with our provost – that he would deal with any objections from 815 to the transfer from Pittsburgh). Worth remembering that Trinity School for Ministry still has a ‘mixed’ faculty, even now.
As far as the election is concerned, if Tennessee and Upper South Carolina are anything to go by, it rather depends on the clergy, doesn’t it?
[url=http://catholicandreformed.blogspot.com]Catholic and Reformed[/url]
I don’t think there is a question of who is the best candidate. Dr. Harding has long since earned the support of orthodox Christians. The key is for people at the convention to realize they do not need to compromise.
You cannot guarantee that he would gain consent to be bishop after the election. But you can guarantee that he will never be bishop if you do not take his candidacy seriously because you think he cannot gain consent.
Good. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.
Good for those in the diocese who took the time and energy to pray, talk to Leander, for Leander to pray and respond affirmatively, and get the petition completed.
Now those believing Leander to be a viable candidate must be ready to hear of “wars and rumors of wars” by those who also believe Leander to be a viable candidate but don’t want him elected. It would be helpful if the proponents would supply a webpage that provides FAQ re: Leander, and to offer Leander an opportunity to respond to any little nasty rumors that attempt to get floated.
Sad and tragic, isn’t it?
And nothing new….
#10. Fr. Rob,
What are the demographics of this Diocese? Is there a large Spanish speaking population?
Dale,
Who am I, George Gallup?
But let me look and see…..
Ok. I’m back.
Checked the diocesan profile, and the state demographics.
Despite the diocesan survey only had a 10% return, it seems clear that the diocesan rolls do not reflect the state demographics.
90% are white, and a hefty percentage are post-retirement age. Hate to say it, too, but TECUSA is not even on the radar when it comes to identifying major religious bodies in New Mexico. There are more Buddhists, and more Jews.
In contrast for the state of New Mexico, there are more who claim Hispanic origin than Caucasian origin in the state (44% to 42% of total population as of 2007). There is a 4% claim to Native American ethnicity. One of New Mexico’s current claims to fame is that they have more Hispanics than any other state (from the Wikipedia article). Seems quite remarkable considering California and Texas, but there you have it. Perhaps they meant percentages. Further, a statistic stated that 26% of New Mexico homes speak Spanish. Hard to tell if that means “only” or as a primary family language.
How’s that?
Fr. Rob,
Sorry to make you Gallup away to New Mexico. Thanks for getting back with good data and so fast. I was really curious if a bilingual Bishop would be helpful.