In his final service at Christ Church Cathedral, retiring Episcopal Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gordon P. Scruton, told worshipers it had been a privilege to serve as their pastoral leader for the past 16 years.
Worshipers from Episcopal churches across the state gathered for Scruton’s last mass at the cathedral as the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, the bishop and his wife, Rebecca, greeted each member of the church for a heartfelt goodbye.
“It was a joy to share with people who we came to love and share our life and ministry,” Scruton said. “It was a joy to be able to say ”˜Thank you.’”
I encountered Bishop Scruton years ago and found him to be engaging and pastoral. I respect him in spite of some of our theological differences and wish him a happy retirement.
But this article saying he was likable and “never hid behind the cross”… What the devil is that supposed to mean?
Western Mass used to be the lone moderate to conservative diocese in New England. Bishop Scruton may not be entirely responsible for the diocese’s decline but it happened on his watch.