Robert Duncan, former Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, gave an interview to Christianity Today from the alternative universe in which he functions. The title is "The Comeback Bishop", and it's worth a read. He spoke quite a few quotable words, but those which jumped out and grabbed me were his words about Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
How should we best interpret the recent silence of Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams?
Sometimes silence is golden. Not so long ago I wrote to him and thanked him for his silence. The silence could suggest two things. It could suggest an indifference, which I don't think is the issue. Or it could suggest a diplomatic response in which it's clear that the sands are shifting. The Archbishop of Canterbury and I have had regular contact, and that will continue. He is redefining his own role by his silence. He redefined the role of the Lambeth Conference. Those redefinitions are necessary in light of the emergence of a global communion. The existing Anglican structures are largely colonial. I acknowledge his authority to exercise his role the way he sees it, actually diminishing his role substantially for the future of the communion.
In my humble opinion, the ABC has, on too many occasions, spoken on matters about which he'd better have been silent and not spoken of matters in which his words could have had great influence for good. Also, it's difficult for me to see how the ABC's new concept for a world-wide Anglican "church" diminishes his own role substantially, as Robert Duncan concludes.
Robert Duncan is most certainly not shy about admitting that he will be the primate of the new Anglican province to be established in the US. I suppose the reason for the title of the piece references that admission. Upon reflection, perhaps, I should have titled my post "Bishop of the Province of Spin".
And I haven't even touched upon the matter of the authority of Bishop Clumber, bishop of the One True Diocese of Pittsburgh.
H/T to the Episcopal Café for the link to CT.
The man is an ASSHAT!!!
ReplyDeleteWhereas Bishop Clumber's hat is just about perfect.
ReplyDelete+We are with Clumber. He speaks the truth and barks openly and frankly. Also, he likes to play. Do any of these other creatures (especially the two-legs) have a sense of humor?
ReplyDeletePrrrrrrrrrrt. Mrrrrrrrrrrrrrow.
+Maya, don't get your hopes up about either the desire to play or the sense of humor. They may be wanting in these two-legged creatures.
ReplyDeleteWonder what Iker's strategy is going to be, seeing as what Duncan has clearly pipped him to the post on the primacy of the new, out of communion, province.
ReplyDeleteThe English con-evos are now angling for their own province.
http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2008/10/englands-pittsb.html
Shalah, thank you for the link. What's sauce for the goose....
ReplyDeleteWill the General Synod agree to provide the group with alternative episcopal oversight in the form of flying bishops? They seem to be rather mildly threatening departure to the Southern Cone, if they don't get what they want.
Not a chance. Let's see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteAs with Palin, I continue to be amazed at the power of delusion and self-delusion. Or, as Big Daddy used to say, "Mendacity, mendacity!"
ReplyDeletePerhaps we need to produce T William's little known late work, Hat on a Hot Tin Ass.
Oh, Tobias, that is rich! I sure am glad I thought of that! Er, um, I sure am glad _you_ thought of that! I get carried away sometimes.
ReplyDeleteTobias, Big Daddy's words are on my sidebar, as you may, or may not have noticed.
ReplyDeleteLet's get busy on the production!
Susan, I may fool myself into thinking I made that title up myself.
You did get my sly reference to Br'er Fox, did you not?
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, Mimi. And a wonderful quote it is. I can still hear Burl Ives' reedy rendition in the somewhat sanitized film version with the late Paul Newman.
ReplyDeleteWilliams had a wonderful way with words -- and how to have an actor repeat them, as Big Daddy does. My other favorite is Kate Heburn in Suddenly Last Summer saying, "Debris, debris, debris..." with the accent on the first syllable, of course.
In his last years T. W. lived in my apartment building -- back when I was a working actor. Some day I shall tell you the hilarious story of "T", the bathing costume, and the spinal tap, and the banality of small talk.
I'll bet you're curious! (This is so much more pleasant than analyzing Duncan or Palin, don't you think?)
Susan, er, um, sadly no. Not smart enough, I guess.
ReplyDeleteTobias! More like dying of curiosity. You must tell. If it's too outré for your blog, I'll post it here. You are such a tease.
You are such a tease.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit I've never, until now, imagined using the phrase "such a tease" in reference to Tobias.
Mimi, on the other hand, yes... ;)
David, the evidence for Tobias-as-tease is right in front of your eyes.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I never tease.
o.k., o.k., I'll post the story on my blog. I've got to write it out first, though... so be patient.
ReplyDeleteI would never tease without the intent ultimately to deliver ;-)
o.k., Mimi, the story is posted -- and I credit you with provoking the post. Enjoy....
ReplyDeleteT