The addresses from our Anglican partners were at times painful to hear. As they shared the spiritual and political shape of their dioceses, a sobering spirit descended upon the room. Each in turn, expressed sincere gratitude for the gifts that we have shared in Communion, and the continuing generosity of our Province. On several occasions we were reminded, “Your country and your Church have so much, and to those to whom much has been given, much is expected.”
On more than one occasion we were reminded of our political power in the world arena, and how we wield it with little concern for others. One person reminded us that we infiltrate long-standing cultural norms through television, movies, internet, fast food restaurants, cigarettes; securing profits while compromising the fabric of other societies. Many contend that The Episcopal Church is doing the same.
Most of us were humbled by the comments, others thought they were too accusatory.
The process for addressing the issues before us: consent to non-celibate gays and lesbians to the episcopate, and the blessing of same-sex unions, was challenging in its own right. We tried to by-pass legislative action on resolutions, saving a vote for the final message from the House. It’s a good idea in theory, but was quite cumbersome in practice.
“Most would agree that the final result was the best that we could do as a group.”
Bishop, you weren’t asked to do the best you could as a group. You were asked to comply with the Windsor Report and the Dar Communique.
That was the line that struck me, too. I admire Bp Wolfe for her candor. I have read two statements that were negative of the “Response”, Stanton’s and Salmon’s. I would put this statement into that category. “Best that we could do” is definitely damning with faint praise.
Blah, Blah, Blah. Nobody will stand up and say: “I failed”. “We failed”. “My diocese is walking apart.” “I have no intention of following the Word.” The content of these communications are full of lies by omission, and utterly gutless…in nearly all of the statements I’ve read.
“Best that we could do”
I have to beg to differ on that. Bishops are called to be lions not fudge peddlers. Read things like pastoral letters, etc., put out by the Conference of US Catholic Bishops. You may not agree with the doctrines/premises, but they are always very well thought out and articulated at least.
Look: we don’t “infiltrate long-standing cultural norms through television, movies, internet, fast food restaurants, cigarettes; securing profits while compromising the fabric of other societies.†The U.S. Army doesn’t go over to Africa and Asia and hold people down while forcing cigarettes and McDonald’s hamburgers in their mouths. People choose to buy this stuff freely, so anybody who complained about it in New Orleans ought to take it up with their own flock. I don’t say that out of any love for the cultural influence of the above laundry list, but that’s just the way it is.
I have been impressed (surprisingly so) by a number of Bishop her statements and actions recently. I think we should cut her some slack and see what direction she is heading. Why spit in the eye of potential allies? She may be much more actually “centrist” than Bishop Lee (for all his delusional talk).
Although I am strongly a re-asserter I have been very, very impressed with Bishop Wolf. I was present at her presentation on the ‘crisis’ in the church while visiting in Rhode Island in 2005. She gave a very fair portrayal of what we believe, without spin or negative comment. She deserves respect in return. I understand the frustration present in many posts. I also think it important that we be realistic about what the house of bishops was going to be able to do. My experience of Common Cause, while much more positive than TEC, still includes many areas of uncertainty, confusion and lack of cohesive agreement. I believe that those who left TEC have not been uniform, many to Rome, others to Evangelical churches, others to Anglican entities, and sadly, many to no church… I am not reluctant to criticize TEC or our bishops, but I think we need to be careful. God is watching us all and speaking the truth without charity or self-righteously is not to our benefit, either now or in the final judgment…. And I ought to know;
i have plenty of “verbal hand grenades” to repent of (the last four years). All glory to GOD!
I agree with jeff. As I said, the comment “Best that we could do” is telling. I read from that disappointment from Bp Wolf that the HoB is incapable of leading more effectively. She is not a wishy, push-over. I see her as a true moderate. (Why in the world is she not PB rather than our current disaster?) I would take her in a heart beat over Wimberly.
I have to concur. +Wolf has been the model of decency. Of the many statements I’ve heard, her’s have always been thoughtful and considerate and remarkably straightforward. I have every confidence that her yes means yes and no means no and if we had more bishops of her character we’d all probably be getting along more civilly and still be in TEC right now.
Perhaps the smartest thing about this statement from Geralyn Wolf is that it will distinguish her starkly from the other prominent woman ‘bishop’ in this scene with whom she might otherwise be mentally grouped; KJS, of course.
Wolf voted for VGR, but one can wonder if possibly a tiny sliver of vestigial Jewish guilt may have inserted itself into her consciousness now that it is clear what a true debacle that has proved. (How any thinking person couldn’t have seen that coming, I don’t understand, but there it is.) It was Yom Kippur last week, after all.
To look at her diocesan website Wolf is a great pal of ++Williams, and one could also hope that he may take seriously her read of last week’s meeting and its outcome.