The Anglican Communion\u2019s first Anglican-Buddhist Bishop was elected this week at a special convention of the Diocese of Northern Michigan. The sole candidate on the ballot, the Rev Kevin Thew Forrester received the support of 88 per cent of the delegates and 91 per cent of congregations, according to a diocesan news release.<\/p>\n
The nomination of Fr Forrester sparked controversy last month, when the diocese announced that he was the sole candidate for election. Critics charged it was unseemly that a single candidate was chosen by the search committee — which included Fr Forrester among its members — to stand for election. Concerns were also raised about the suitability of a professed Buddhist who said he had received Buddhist \u201clay ordination\u201d\u009d and was \u201cwalking the path of Christianity and Zen Buddhism together\u201d\u009d being consecrated a bishop.<\/p>\n
Known also by his Buddhist name, \u201cGenpo\u201d\u009d which means \u201cWay of Universal Wisdom\u201d\u009d, Fr Forrester holds progressive views on a number of traditional Christian doctrines. Writing in the diocese\u2019s news letter he stated: \u201cSin has little, if anything, to do with being bad. It has everything to do, as far as I can tell, with being blind to our own goodness.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n