Two candidate "walkabouts" in November gave Waldo the edge.
Waldo was not particularly well-known in the Diocese until two meet-the-candidates "walkabouts" sponsored by the search committee in November. Delegates attending those sessions - mocked as "beauty contests" - said his low-key, approachable manner and traditional Episcopal theology easily made him a favorite.
A former professional musician, the Bishop-elect was ordained a priest in 1989. He and his wife, Mary, have three sons in their twenties.
Delegates contacted by SC Episcopalians said they were clear they wanted to continue the course set by Henderson, but not until the walkabouts did they decide Waldo was the best choice to do that.
In Louisiana, I'd say the same for the walkabouts. The opportunity to meet the candidates gave Morris Thompson the edge.
Read the full account at South Carolina Episcopalians.
Ann Fontaine mentioned "Where's Waldo?" to me in referring to the new bishop-elect, but we concluded that the words may be misconstrued as irreverent, but, in this context, I think the question fits well.
Thanks to Lapin for the link.
This is a very good site, isn't it? Posts further down the page give a good overview of the dynamics - particularly fear of developments in recent years in the adjacent diocese of South Carolina - that favored Waldo's election. His earlier academic career in the performance of Renaissance choral and instrumental music looks promising.
ReplyDeleteLapin, I truly believe that Bp. Mark Lawrence's overt hostility to TEC as demonstrated in his inappropriate words and actions served to turn people in USC toward the moderate candidates.
ReplyDeleteIndirectly, Bp. Lawrence may have affected the election in Louisiana, because Bp. Smith was known to be his close associate, and the two shared a good many opinions. As a result, delegates in Louisiana turned toward a more moderate candidate.
Perhaps next time around these moderate southern dioceses will even consider a woman for bishop.
ReplyDeleteOrmonde, a girl can dream. Boys can dream, too.
ReplyDeleteMimi,
ReplyDeleteYou may have something. I credit Dr. Virtue with making my elder son more moderate. He decided that if that was what a conservative looked like he was not one.
FWIW
jimB