There was no red carpet, no fanfare for Friday’s visit to Bridgeport by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States and 15 other nations.
And the Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori preferred it that way.
Jefferts Schori, the first woman to hold the post of U.S. presiding bishop, said she doesn’t even like to be called “Excellency,” as some high-ranking religious officials sometimes are. Nonetheless, her responsibilities are lofty as she is considered the leader of the Episcopal Church’s 2.4 million members, who comprise one of 38 provinces, or churches, of the Anglican Communion. Elected to the post in 2006, she previously served as bishop of Nevada.
“of the United States and fifteen other nations”. What might those “nations” be and is she preparing to set up the Episcopal “communion”?
Funny how the number of Episcopalians keeps bumping up past 2.2 million!
she doesn’t even like to be called “Excellency
Because she is not.
1. Dan Crawford,
You quoted me before I was able to write it. I think TEC is getting ready to bust a move!
“Excellency”? When “The Litigator” is apt? Never.
Heh.
What a great line from the Dear Leader, who is merely one of the Common People, just like her subjects.
Why, I assure you all, that I too do not like to *even* be called “excellency.”
Nor do I need a “red carpet” — none of the deserved privileges of my rank from The People, only a few small simple needs.
Who’s decision was it to add “And Primate” to the title of Presiding Bishop following the name of KJS?
#7–GC 2000 as I recall. I vote against it.
OOPS–I “voted” against it.
Nos. 6, 7, 8, et al.: In general, the Episcopal Church’s leaders have taken on more titles–grander titles–as their status in society has decreased. KJS may not even go for Excellency, but she accepts Most Reverend and routinely wears monarchical garb.
Notice, however, that newspaper editors can rarely keep it all straight: the PB is referred to as “the Reverend _____” as often as she or he is referred to by the latest title.
Frankly, I’ve gotten to the point where I feel that Episcopal clergy should go for the simplest titles they can: Right Reverend for all bishops, for starters. And “the Reverend,” as in some denominations, would be fine with me for all “ranks.”
And, hey, while we’re at it, I wouldn’t mind seeing the day when, as used to be the case with the Brethren, clergy eschewed all this “Reverend” business completely.
Despite all the talk of the ministry of the baptized, there is still a big clergy-laity divide in TEC, according to those who try to get things done on the committees and commissions of officialdom. This divide is represented by the fact that, in official lists, clergy all have titles, but laity are not given the titles they’re used to.
Why not do away with all this highfalutin’ nonsense? At least half of all Americans, Brits, and others misuse “Reverend” anyway.
Somehow I am reminded of the little, here and gone churches around here that have leaders called Apostle So and So.
To heck with it – what’s wrong with Grand Poobah?
Works for me.
I don’t recognize her as a member of the clergy, so how’s THAT for calling her something which she isn’t?
#10,
So you don’t like things Anglican, right?