Really, I Wish Her Well....

A few folks have taken my words in this post as being critical of the appointment of Canon Dr Alyson Barnett-Cowan as Director for Unity, Faith and Order at the Anglican Communion Office. Folks who know her and have worked with her attest to her many gifts and believe that she is an excellent choice for the position. I have no reason to doubt their opinions. I'm sure that Canon Barnett-Cowan is a fine person, and I hope that she will do an excellent job during her term in the office. I support her wholeheartedly, and I shall pray for her.

My reference to Maggie Thatcher in the previous post was a joke, and not meant as a judgment on the Canon as a person or on her ability to do the job. In truth, I'm quite pleased that a Canadian woman was appointed to such a prestigious post.

I repeat that the title of the new office in the AC reminded me of a combination of Rome's Holy Office and The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the office which was in charge of pursuing the policies of the Inquisition in earlier periods in the history of the Christian church. In addition, the acronym for the title is unfortunate and is likely to be the butt of jokes, and not just by Adrian and me. Rowan's determination to concentrate authority in his office and in the Primates causes me to cast a suspicious eye on the restructuring, but not at all because of Canon Barnett-Cowan's appointment.

In my humble opinion, Pluralist's fantasy of an imaginary meeting between the Canon and the archdeacon is hilarious and not at all meant to demean her. Of course, I could be wrong. I hope that Canon Barnett-Cowan has a robust sense of humor, for I believe she will need it in her new position.