With a history of sherries at church coffee hour and wine during Holy Communion, Episcopalians have long endured \u201d\u201d and shared \u201d\u201d jokes about their drinking. (For example: \u201cwherever two or three are gathered, there\u2019s a fifth.\u201d\u009d) Yet the relationship is complicated.<\/p>\n
The denomination stood out a century ago for saying alcoholism wasn\u2019t an evil. And Episcopal clergy played a significant role in the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous.<\/p>\n
So perhaps it was surprising that this week a top church leader said the case of Heather Cook \u201d\u201d the Maryland bishop now accused of killing a cyclist while driving drunk \u201d\u201d revealed Episcopalians\u2019 \u201csystemic denial about alcohol and other drug abuse.\u201d\u009d Leaders will review church policies on drug and alcohol abuse for the first time in 30 years when they have their once-every-three-years meeting this summer.<\/p>\n
One bishop is already proposing not drinking at the major gathering, and parishes are launching special worship services for people in recovery. Yet the Episcopal Church\u2019s unusual history regarding drinking adds to the complexity of dealing with the issue.<\/p>\n