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Recently I asked the question, did our Presiding Bishop change her tune about inviting Akinola?

The Washington Times provides one answer:

The head of the 2.3-million-member denomination first made her wishes known last week in a request leaked to the New York Times. When that did not produce a response, Bishop Jefferts Schori sent Archbishop Akinola an official letter Monday.

Is the Washington Times implying a request was sent to Akinola? And why the PB's original statement being characterized as a leak? It wasn't a leak. The NYT asked for her views and she provided them with a statement.

What was made public was her letter to Akinola of April 30. That letter requesting that he not come to the US for the installation of the unelected Martyn Minns.

LATER. May 3 in The Washington Times:

Earlier this week, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori sent Archbishop Akinola a request by e-mail and airmail that he not officiate at the gathering.

Canon Akin Tunde Popoola, a spokesman for the archbishop, e-mailed The Washington Times yesterday morning to say they had received neither request.

"It will however be strange that [the Episcopal Church], which had all along explained why the election, consecration and enthronement of Gene is irreversible," he wrote, "suddenly feels that of Martyn Minns, elected by the Nigerian House of Bishops, can be tampered with."

Dumb headline

Here.

Katharine Jefferts Schori :: Forbes

Forbes magazine runs a regular series on leadership. They recently covered Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. Some excerpts:

Even 30 years after Episcopalians first ordained women as priests, there are still U.S. [Episcopal] dioceses that don't recognize a woman's right to be a priest--and still oppose Jefferts Schori's investiture as presiding bishop.

Her response? People should get to know her before they make up their minds.
...
"I don't think my election is so much about my gender as it is about gifts that my brother and sister bishops saw in me," says Jefferts Schori, who formally took her seat as presiding bishop last November. "I think it says gender is not a necessary barrier." Still, she knows her being chosen presiding bishop represents a true victory for women in the Episcopal Church--and in the church universal.
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But as Jefferts Schori moves fully into one of the country's most prestigious ecclesiastical posts, most of her sister clergy still fight an uphill battle. At a time when women occupy only a small percentage of chief executive posts in American business, women in religion face the same sparsely populated landscape.

But while one can find examples of women in the senior ranks in virtually every field of business, women remain barred from clergy posts across huge subsets of religion--including the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, Orthodox Judaism and Islam. Those who oppose women in leadership roles point to thousands of years of tradition and infallible scripture as justification.

Consider how you would feel about a law that said you couldn't be president of your company because you're a woman, and you begin to have an idea of the plight of many women who might otherwise follow a divine calling.
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"I give thanks for my Roman Catholic roots," she told the press after her election last summer, "but that's not where I am. As might be obvious." Standing before the crowd in her priestly collar, she had made her point. And the crowd laughed with her.
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"The hope is that bringing [Jefferts Schori] on board will create a paradigmatic shift," says the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, ecumenical and interreligious officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and a consultant to the national church. "Things are changing."

Guibord says she encounters women in her travels who rejoice to see a woman priest. "I always have women come up to me who want to touch me, who cry and say, 'You mean women can be priests?' When I travel and I wear my collar, I know that it gives women hope."

One of the challenges women in the priesthood face is that parishes expect them to live as out of balance, as tied to the parish, as the male priests of the past. It will take time to train parishes that their expectations of priests were never healthy for the clergy or the laity. Some thirty years after women entered the priesthood there are still some parishes learning that lesson.

At the same time - putting on my labor economist hat - the fact that women are overrepresented in positions like assistant rector is more a reflection of preferences of women than it is discrimination by the church.

Her Liberal Allies Wonder Why She Signed Ultimatum on Gays :: WaPo

From the Sunday Washington Post:

With more puzzlement than rancor, liberal Episcopalians are questioning why [Presiding Bishop] Jefferts Schori signed an international statement last month that, in their view, demands a halt to 30 years of growing acceptance of gay men and lesbians.
...
the response from liberal Episcopalians has run the gamut "from sadness to anger and everything in between -- a lot of disappointment and frustration," said Meyers, a member of the House of Deputies. Above all, she added, "we're trying to understand why our presiding bishop thinks this is the right way to proceed."
...
she [Jefferts Schori] explained her position during a Feb. 28 live webcast from New York in which she answered questions from Anglicans worldwide. Poised and unhurried, with an easy laugh, she projected calm.

"We are being pushed toward a decision by impatient forces within and outside this church who hunger for clarity," she said. " . . . If we can lower the emotional reactivity in the midst of this current controversy, we just might be able to find a way to live together."
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In an attempt to prevent a schism, Jefferts Schori and her fellow primates gave U.S. bishops until Sept. 30 to make an unambiguous, collective promise that they will not consent to the election of any more gay bishops and will not authorize blessings of same-sex couples. The primates also agreed to establish the post of "primatial vicar" to oversee U.S. dioceses unhappy with the Episcopal Church's recent course.
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Liberal Episcopalians have questioned Jefferts Schori's recent judgment, but she has not lost their allegiance.

Bishop Chilton R. Knudsen of Maine [no relation] said she is worried that the primates' ultimatum is a step toward turning the Anglican Communion into a "magisterial" church with centralized authority, something much closer to Roman Catholicism than to the loose "bonds of affection" that have tied Anglicans together.

But, she said, "I'm reserving judgment. I know Katharine well enough to have an instinctive trust in her, and I want to hear from her about this."

What if she had refused to sign the agreement? She would have been criticized for not consulting with the House of Bishops.

More:

In an attempt to prevent a schism, Jefferts Schori and her fellow primates gave U.S. bishops until Sept. 30 to make an unambiguous, collective promise that they will not consent to the election of any more gay bishops and will not authorize blessings of same-sex couples. ...

If the Episcopal Church rejects the ultimatum, it will face unspecified sanctions, such as a downgrading of its status within the Anglican Communion. But even before the U.S. bishops gather in Texas on Friday, more than a dozen of them, including Bishop John B. Chane of Washington, have indicated they are inclined to rebuff Jefferts Schori's recommendation and politely but firmly say "no" to the primates.

It appears to me that the Washington Post sees no Sisk-Naughton loophole.

More from Bishop Chane:

"We have to be very clear about where we are as a church. We have consented to the consecration of Gene Robinson, and we have -- the majority of dioceses in this country have -- allowed the blessing of same-sex couples for some time," Chane said in an interview.

"We have done these things, and the one thing we're not going to do, in my opinion, is we're not going back to Egypt," he said, referring to the biblical exodus from slavery. "These are positions that have been taken, really, at some cost to the unity of our church, but for the integrity of our church."

Kendall Harmon asks whether it is an established fact that "we have - the majority of dioceses in this country have - allowed the blessing of same-sex couples." Good question.

Presiding Bishop briefs Church Center community on Primates’ Meeting :: ENS

ENS story here. My version here. See also Ekklesia's version and The Christian Post's. I find it surprising that major news outlets have not picked up yet on the news she made in her statement.

The reaction of Archbishop Gregory Venables (Southern Cone) here:

Tragically, in the Presiding Bishop’s remarks to the Church Center community just two days after the close of the meeting she misguidingly argues that there was agreement and understanding among the Primates that blessings of same-sex couples could continue as “pastoral care” as long as there was no official published liturgy for it. That assertion quite scandalously demonstrates the very concern that the Communiqué addresses in identifying this situation.

The Presiding Bishop speaks to 815

I highly recommend that you listen to all she had say yesterday in her briefing to "the community of people who work at the Episcopal Church Center in New York on the recent Primates’ meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania." Html link here. She speaks for 25 minutes.

Some of things I heard her say:

1. One third of the primates were new, a "reminder that that body changes ... several high profile retirements coming [among the Primates]."

2. "Session where 3 other bishops of this church were present.... each of [us] expressed our own view ... significant part of the church where these issues are not [central] ... helpful for primates to see some of the emotion expressed."

3. "Those issues consumed the vast majority of our time [of the primates meetings]"

4. ABC " reflected in a nuanced way on the connection between slavery and our current controversies ... the role of the Anglican Communion in the end of slavery" Referring to the use of British Navy bombardment to end slavery in Zanzibar she said "I hope it doesn't come to that."

5. "Communique lists expectations... [Not meeting the expectations would take us out of the] councils of the Anglican Communion ... [Was seen as] helping this church resolve its differences."

6. "Entire communion is caught in our controversy.... The blessing in that .... can't deny homosexuals in their community ... TEC's gift is our 40 year conversation won't go away. ... God keeps bringing it back."

7. "Give strong evidence of our desire [to remain in the Anglican Communion] . Lambeth 1.10 teaching of the communion."

8. "My encouragement [to those who would say how dare they tell us what to do] is we might be able to see this as a container ... to continue to discuss " ... "my understanding of body of Christ is we can't say we have no need of you." [Referred to those on both sides of the issue who say let's divorce.]

9. "We are being invited to assert a desire to be full members of the AC."

10. "Change has already begun and I don't expect it to end."

11. There are "more developed churches whose provinces are close to [us]" [listed Brazil, Scotland, many others]

12. "Vast middle who don't see this as a defining issue."

13. "Few neuralgic provinces who have discovered this is their defining issue I think with encouragement from members of this church."

14. "The reality is change is happening in all those [provinces]. ... No where is there monochromatic opinion that the Primate may represent."

15. "Low point of the meeting when two of the primates reminded me of [how far we have to go] ... [One spoke of] homosexuality in same breath as child abuse in the Catholic Church, another said we don't study murderers why should we study homosexuality? ... We have a long way to go so that reason can be equal partner to scripture and tradition.

16. "I don't know what this church will decide ... I do know if we are removed from places [where conversation takes place we] lose opportunity to challenge thing like that."

17. Already in our "missional relationships [to other provinces] the conversation is changing people's understanding ... conversation opens some possibility of conversion."

18. "An enormous price is being asked of us. I don't know if we should pay that price. ... "

19. [paraphrase] This is a decision for the HOB. HOB will meet in March. Executive Committee will meet to discuss. Bishops will in September will come back informed about what they have heard in their own dioceses.

20. "I should clarify some misunderstandings... The reality is the ABC will respect what the primates decide ... official teaching. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York decide who is in communion with them and that's all that matters."

21. "Authorizing means official public ceremonies. ... Pastoral care [is still permitted - "the primates discussed that."]. ... Being asked to refrain from authorizing."

Jim Naughton has asked what the unintended consequences might be of accepting the requirements of the Communique. It appears clear the PB sees an unintended consequence of leaving the communion: it would slow the progress of justice for homosexuals in other parts of the communion.

I also see clear hints that the PB believes that the balance of power in the communion will have swung in a few years. A question one might ask is why not drop out and wait to be invited back when the communion has caught up with us. I can think of two possible reasons. The first is the point just made - the communion will move faster if we stay engaged. The second (paralleling the first) could be that by dropping out of the Anglican Communion's councils we spur divorce in The Episcopal Church.

Her premise of course is that she will not be changed by the conversation -- at least on her views about homosexuality. I don't believe she should. But conservatives will surely want to know what is in it for them to remain in conversation, and will even label her invitation as hypocritical. Actually they already have.

Presiding Bishop sets live webcast to discuss current issues :: ENS

Quote:

a live webcast conversation with Episcopalians churchwide on Wednesday, February 28, beginning at 10 a.m. EST (9 a.m. CST, 8 a.m. MST, 7 a.m. PST).
...
Access to the program will be available through both the Episcopal Church's web site and the Trinity Wall Street parish site.

The program will open with the Presiding Bishop's introductory remarks centering on the recent Primates Meeting in Tanzania. Following her comments, she will answer questions from a live studio audience as well as phone and e-mail inquiries. Call-in numbers and e-mail information will be provided during the webcast.
...
The program will then remain online for on-demand viewing at later times.

Thanks to Mark for the heads up.

National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations :: WVparson

Quote:

I spent last week in New York attending the January board meeting of NNECA; (The National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations). We met at 815 on Tuesday and Wednesday and at the Church Pension Group's office on Thursday.
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The Presiding Bishop gave us a good deal of her time. I was impressed by her openness, her willingness to speak to us frankly and clearly and her sense of humor.

Our new Primate met in the NNECA board a cross-section of TEC as it is now, from “left” to “right”, from rural to urban, male and female, African American and white, Pittsburgh to El Camino Real. She fielded questions about the South Carolina election and her vision for the future. She heard us ask that she recognize and encourage the center, the moderate majority, ranging from those who are traditionalists but won’t leave the church to those who are liberal but don’t want to leave the Anglican Communion. We asked her to encourage the parish clergy who get on with being faithful parish priests and pastors in these difficult times and the women and men across TEC at home and abroad who struggle to pay the bills and worship week by week in their parish churches.
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We also discussed –centering on a recent case – the problem of clergy “black-balling”; bishops and Deployment Officers contacting each other through what we used to term “the old boys’ network” and disqualifying clergy, and in particular interim clergy in a process in which such clergy have no right to defend themselves and who often remain unaware that they have been marked until the inevitable gossip catches up with them. As a result a letter is being sent to DOs and Bishops asking that this pernicious habit cease. We predict that if it does not, there will be law suits.
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We also concluded plans for our 2007 conference which will meet in Williamsburg, Virginia on the days following the 400 Anniversary celebrations of the Jamestown landings in June. The speakers include the Presiding Bishop, Dr. Michael Battle, Loren Mead, and Tex Sample.

Read the whole thing.

Exodus? :: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Editor, Times-Dispatch (scroll down):

My world view often differs from your editorial staff's, yet I have enjoyed your paper because it's important and fun to be challenged by others' perspectives. But an editorial and a recent column by Ross Mackenzie regarding my beloved Episcopal faith struck a nerve.

In the editorial "Exodus," the church is accused of playing childish games by electing Katharine Jefferts Schori to be our presiding bishop. After reading numerous articles by and about her, including the interview in The New York Times Magazine, I've come to realize that she is brilliant and the right person for the job. The moral and intellectual snobbery you attribute to her may actually belong to those who fear change.

As a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, and the grandson of Rev. Frank Wilson (a close friend and confidant of President Franklin Roosevelt), I'm aware that progressive changes have challenged Episcopalians in the past. The decision to ordain women created a larger schism than we are currently witnessing.

Another notable moment for the [Episcopal] church occurred after the Civil War when Gen. Robert E. Lee joined a freed slave at the altar to receive communion, right here in Richmond. At the time many considered this to be a heretical act. Those who feared change back then were as misguided as those who fear it now. When we look back at such events and turning points in history we often wonder: What took so long?

Alex Wilson, Mechanicsville

More letters here.