On the Election of the 26th Presiding Bishop
Bishop Katharine Jefforts Schori and I served on the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, meeting regularly over the eight-month period immediately preceding General Convention. From that experience in particular, but from our shared ministry as bishops generally, I perceive that she:Loves the Lord and the Lord’s Church;Is committed to the Anglican Communion;Listens to, honors, and provides space for those whose convictions differ from her own;Is exceptionally bright, creative and articulate. Based on her comments to the House of Bishops and House of Deputies on the last day of convention, urging both houses to adopt the resolution on the election of and consent to bishops, I also perceive that she is capable of exercising firm leadership when necessary.
I did not vote for her, but my reason had nothing to do with lack of confidence in her qualifications for the ministry of Presiding Bishop as provided in our Constitution and Canons. Rather, my decision was guided by the perception that, at this time, the unity of the Episcopal Church and the “highest degree of communion” with other Anglican Provinces would be served better by a bishop whose vote in 2003 was broadly acceptable throughout the Communion and whose experience as a reconciler within the Episcopal Church had already been tested and known.
I believe that she has the skills and gifts which will serve the Church and her well, as the one who
