From Jim Naughton at "The Lead", at the Episcopal Café, here's the the link to the video of Bishop Katharine' appearance on Bill Moyers' Journal.
I find watching her an absolute joy. Comparisons are odious, so I won't do that.
My one caveat is that I remain troubled by her decision to ask TEC for the moratorium:
BILL MOYERS: You've even been criticized by some of your liberal colleagues in the American fellowship because you have called for a moratorium for a season on ordaining more gay Bishops. Why did you do that?
BISHOP KATHARINE JEFFERTS SCHORI: It was a very painful thing to do. My sense was that there might be hope of some kind of broader understanding if we were able to pause. Not go backwards, but pause.
BILL MOYERS: Is it fair to ask some aspiring gay or lesbian person who wants to become a Bishop, like Gene Robinson did in 2003, to wait?
BISHOP KATHARINE JEFFERTS SCHORI: Is it fair? No. It's not fair.
BILL MOYERS: But it's necessary?
BISHOP KATHARINE JEFFERTS SCHORI: It's a crucified place to stand.
A crucified place for whom? I'm sure it was painful for Bishop Katharine to make this request, but still, it seems to me that the heavy burden is laid on the backs of lesbians and gays, and that seems pharisaical to me.
Otherwise, it was wonderful to watch. Hers is such a calm and dignified presence. I can see each time I watch and listen to her what it was that made me pick her out as the best candidate for Presiding Bishop judging solely from the TV interviews which circulated before her election.
Here's a link to the transcript.
I thought she meant that we have crucified gays and lesbians with a "pause" -- not that she was crucified. I hope that is what she means anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnn, I think that's what she meant.
ReplyDeleteMy question was rhetorical anyway. I was emphasizing who made the sacrifice. Many of us straight folks feel bad about gays and lesbians having to make the sacrifice, but that's not quite the same as making it ourselves.
What a very fine interview. Wonderful person. Thank you so much for posting it
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Roger, Lapin, Cardinal. Just letting everyone know who's commenting.
ReplyDeleteGo easy on the cardinal. He popped up unintentionally a couple of days back. Apart from that, I've only used him four times, and three of those were to double-dip on the Bloggers' awards.
ReplyDeleteWay off topic, but you've been tagged!
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't want to sound like a "holy Joe", but the way of the cross is not for wimps.
ReplyDeleteWhat others "misbelieve" about our "birthright" is quite irrelevant. However, there is great power in putting aside what is ours. With Christ as our example, this cannot be news in the faith.
Damn it! I do sound "holier than thou", so I'd better stop.
I've already told Padre Mickey at his place that I will never forgive him.
ReplyDeleteKJ, you are holy - holy meaning a friend of God - but you do not sound holier than thou.
The way of the cross is not for wimps, but Jesus told us to take up our crosses not lay crosses on the shoulders of others.
You are doing your part exactly right.
Jesus told us to take up our crosses not lay crosses on the shoulders of others.
ReplyDeleteMimi---if that makes its way into my next blog post, I promise to give you full credit.
I just had dinner with Davis Mac-Iyalla. There is someone who knows about sacrifices! I admire +Katherine immensely, but I wonder what she will say to Davis when she meets with him on Monday? Does she realize what she is asking of *him* when she talks about a "pause"?
Does she really believe that such a pause will satisfy those who would go so far as to bar communion for GLBTs and their supporters?
Doxy, please write about your dinner with Davis on your blog. I'd love to hear about it.
ReplyDeleteUse the quote whenever you like.
I too was facinated by ++Katharine. I love her ability to stand in both the religious camp AND the scientific camp and be allow them to inform her theology. But as one of the family who is being crucified for the sake of community, I am not willing to do it for long. She has sad for a time. She thinks that we can stand still, but there is no standing still in matters of faith.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to hear how she has reasoned out her understanding of the inclusion of LGBT folk. It was based upon both the scientific and the Scripture, bringing both together. And I am in awe at how contained and composed she is the face of tough questions.
I am wondering what she is like when someone like Stand Firm gets in her face. I don't think I would want to be on the receiving end.
Muthah+, I love it that she is learned in science and the Scriptures. I'd like to see her in a debate with a "reasserter". But they don't really debate; they accuse and rant.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm pleased for you that you are once again serving in a church.
Mimi, in our diocese the gays and lesbians have been making a sacrifice for years now, in a gross violation of canon law.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ormonde, I know, and I wish that were not the case. I know that you are aware that in my own church parish, an ordination to the permanent diaconate is unfairly blocked.
ReplyDeleteMay I say that I'm pleased to find another straight member of the Diocese of Louisiana who is like-minded. How many of us are there, do you think?
Would you like me to add you to my blogroll? It will bring you thousands upon thousands of visits each day.
Mimi, there are a lot of us in the south part of the diocese. One of my (liberal) priest friends says the diocese is divided by a "pine curtain," stretching east to west through the middle of Lake Pontchartrain and over to about Franklin. Of course, there are a few exceptions on both sides.
ReplyDeleteOrmonde, that's good to know. I wish I was acquainted with more of them.
ReplyDeleteJesus told us to take up our crosses not lay crosses on the shoulders of others.
ReplyDeleteGrandmère Mimi, this is a bit of brilliance that bears repeating.
Thank you for the link to the transcript. I finally got a chance to read it. I think I'd like to buy Bishop Katherine a drink!
PJ, thank you. I can't take credit for the idea, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm believe you and Bishop Katharine would have a grand time over a drink.