Day No. 2 of the diocese’s annual convention includes a vote on five candidates, two of whom would represent a first: the first openly partnered lesbian to be elected a bishop, or the first Native American. Both insist that making history is not their primary motivation.
“I’m not a cause, I’m a candidate,” said the Rev. Bonnie Perry. The Rev. Doyle Turner struck a similar tone, noting that while he’s proud of his Ojibwe heritage, “I’m not the pastor of a Native American church, and it’s my church that has encouraged me [to run].”
The winner will succeed Bishop James Jelinek in overseeing 106 congregations representing 22,000 members. Jelinek is retiring in February.
Another diocese down the drain?
Every favourite creature in the petting zoo of American secular liberalism. I’m surprised their wasn’t a vegan black transgendered pacifist in the running. Or for that matter, a talking pony.