Episcopalians Elect
1st Female Leader
By AP from the
NYTimes on the Web, June 18, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nevada
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori became the first woman to lead any church in
the global Anglican Communion when she was elected Sunday to be the presiding
bishop of the Episcopal Church.
The choice of Jefferts Schori may worsen -- and could even splinter -- the
already difficult relations between the American denomination and its fellow
Anglicans. Episcopalians have been sparring with many in the other 37
Anglican provinces over homosexuality, but a female leader adds a new layer of
complexity to the already troubled relationship.
Only two other Anglican provinces -- New Zealand and Canada -- have female
bishops, although a handful of other provinces allow women to serve in the post.
Still, there are many Anglican leaders who believe women should not even be
priests.
Jefferts Schori was elected at the Episcopal General Convention, where delegates
have been debating whether to appease Anglican leaders by agreeing to
temporarily stop ordaining gay bishops.
In 2003, the Americans shocked the Anglican world by electing the first openly
gay bishop -- V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. Placing a female bishop
at the head of the denomination could further anger conservatives worldwide and
even within the U.S. church. And Jefferts Schori voted to confirm
Robinson.
Andrew Carey, a British-based commentator on Anglican affairs and son of the
Rev. George Carey, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002,
called Jefferts Schori ''the most liberal of the lot'' of candidates.
''I think this fully shows a noncompliance of spirit with rest of the
communion,'' he said in a telephone interview.
Episcopal bishops elected Jefferts Schori on the fifth ballot in a 95-93 vote
from a field including six other male candidates; other General Convention
delegates confirmed the choice.
Gasps could be heard throughout the vast convention hall when Jefferts Schori's
name was announced. The Rev. Jennifer Adams from Western Michigan,
speaking from the floor, called Schori ''a woman of integrity, consistency and
faith. I have no doubt her election as presiding bishop will be a gift to
our church.''
Yet several delegates said they feared the global consequences.
''I can't help but consider the peculiar genius our church has for roiling the
waters,'' said the Rev. Eddie Blue of Maryland. ''I am shocked, dismayed
and saddened by the choice.''
The presiding bishop represents the Episcopal Church in meetings with other
Anglican leaders and with leaders of other religious groups. But the
presiding bishop's power is limited because of the democratic nature of the
church. The General Convention is the top Episcopal policy-making body and
dioceses elect their own bishops.
Jefferts Schori will inherit a fractured church. The Pittsburgh-based
Anglican Communion Network, which represents 10 U.S. conservative dioceses and
more than 900 parishes within the Episcopal Church, is deciding whether to break
from the denomination. The House of Bishops recently started a defense
fund that will help fight legal battles against parishes that want to leave and
take their property with them.
Membership in the Episcopal Church, as in other mainline Protestant groups, has
been declining for years and has remained predominantly white. More than a
quarter of the 2.3 million parishioners are age 65 or older.
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