“I’m going to give it attention,” [Greg] Rickel said. “I want to discern the differences between the covenant and what’s actually on the ground.”<\/p>\n
Rickel is an optimistic man. St. James was turned into a flourishing multicultural congregation, 40 percent African-American, 40 percent white and 20 percent Hispanic.<\/p>\n
He was active in interfaith relations, and has trained as a presenter in Al Gore’s effort to slow global warning.<\/p>\n
“It’s a stewardship issue,” Rickel said. “We are caretakers of God’s creation. The church has a role to be stewards of the resources that God has given us. It’s an issue of faith.”<\/p>\n
The new bishop brings wit to the job. Brought up a Methodist, he attended a Catholic high school in Little Rock, whose principal tried to interest him in becoming a Roman Catholic priest.<\/p>\n
“I told him, ‘I like girls. I think the pope is sometimes silly. And I don’t like it at communion when you send me to the end of the row.’<\/p>\n
“He replied, ‘You sound like a damned Episcopalian.’ ”<\/p>\n