White nurtured interfaith relationships at home and abroad. He served as the Episcopal Church’s liaison with the Russian Orthodox Church in the years before and after the breakup of the Soviet Union. At home, he worked closely with fellow bishops Rogness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Catholic Archbishop Rembert Weakland and Bishop Richard Sklba.
“The ecumenical and interfaith climate really blossomed in Milwaukee at the time,” Rogness said.
White worried and wrote about declining membership in the Episcopal Church and the waning influence of religion on American culture. His 1992 title, “New Millenium, New Church” co-written with the Rev. Richard Kew, was one of the church’s top-selling titles for a decade.
The obit doesn’t mention the important fact that +White was one of the foremost early advocates of the restoration of the ancient catechumenate in TEC. During his tenure (1984-2003), Milwaukee became the foremost diocese in the country in reviving that long-forgotten practice that still holds great potential and should play a central role in the renewal of the Church’s ability to fulfill the Great Commission.
I didn’t always agree with +Reger White (Where was the personal and moral courage this tribute rightly celebrates when he served on the trial court that infamously acquited the notorious +Walter Righter? He fumbled the ball on that one.). But he was a man who was worthy of his high calling as a successor of the apostles.
May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.
David Handy+