More On Gene and Barack From Ruth

More background on Ruth Gledhill's blog to the article to which Fr David Heron linked:

[Bishop Gene]: 'I was actually sought out by his campaign. He had quite an extraordinary outreach to the religious community. By that I mean all religious communities. And through those contacts I had the opportunity to speak to him. And I must say I don't know if it is an expression here in England or not but he is the genuine article. I think he is exactly who he says he is. And I serve on the church pension fund board at the national level and I serve with someone who has been his friend since Barack was in college and says what you see is exactly who he has been for as long as I've known him.

'He is impressive, he's smart, he is an amazing listener. For someone who's called on to speak all the time when he asks you a question it is not for show, he is actually wanting to know what you think and listens, or at least gives you that impression. I think we've had eight years of someone who has listened to almost no-one. So the thought of having a president who gathers the best people around him and then listens to what they have to say to him, especially the things he doesn't want to hear I think he will be open to, that is very refreshing. So I'm absolutely delighted about him.

'To see the tears in the eyes of African-Americans, it's just been a profoundly, I would say religious, experience, very exciting.'

I asked him how they greeted each other.

Bishop Robinson said: 'The first words out of his mouth were, 'Well you're certainly causing a lot of trouble!' My response to him was, 'Well that makes two of us!'

Read the whole post. Ruth includes a link to a tape of the interview, if you care to listen.

Bishop Gene was in London to receive the "Hero of the Year" award from Stonewall.

Thanks to Canada Tim for the link. The English-speaking foreigners are taking over my blog.