The good bishop has it wrong. Or so I think. Which bishop, you ask? That\u2019s the point. Which bishop indeed?<\/p>\n
As one who is not a part of the Episcopal side of the Christian family, I look on as a concerned outsider. But perhaps that is the best vantage point to hold in the midst of a family squabble (See: “Reorganized diocese elects new bishop,” Feb. 8).<\/p>\n
There is no doubt that the unity of the whole church includes both sides of this unhappy family, because our unity \u201d\u201d not uniformity based on sameness \u201d\u201d is based on God\u2019s love manifested in our common life in Christ.<\/p>\n
But after making this most basic of Christian affirmations, we must say that this dispute, as so many others, is not new to Christian history. In fact, it is not new to any other of the living religious traditions, either.<\/p>\n