I'LL BE THERE AT THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

National Cathedral - Washington DC

On Sunday, November 1, 2015, All Saints Day, I shall attend the installation of Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry as 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. My friend Lisa, who was a deputy to General Convention 2015, will not be able to use her ticket to the installation, so she offered it to several friends, and I was the first to respond with a yes. I had put my name in the lottery for a ticket but did not win, so I was thrilled by the offer of the ticket.

After I booked my flight, I noticed that along with the ticket, I would be asked to present ID. Well, I am not Lisa, so I wrote to her and asked if this might present a problem. Dear Lisa, who knew the right people to contact, along with having to deal with cat/veterinarian and other matters in her own life, arranged to have my name placed on the master list of ticket holders, so I will not need to pretend to be Lisa.  My flight is non-refundable, so I am quite relieved that all is in order for me to attend the ceremony.  Otherwise, I was going to DC anyway to present myself at the door of the cathedral to see what would happen.  If I didn't get in, I planned to enjoy a few tourist days in the nation's capital.

Thanks again to Lisa, for the gift of the ticket and for making the necessary arrangements for me to attend in my own name.

Cathedral image by Carol M. Highsmith from Wikipedia.

Below is a video of Bishop-elect Curry following his election at General Convention 2015 of the Episcopal Church.



FRIDAY UPDATE: I will not be attending the installation of Bishop Curry. I've been ill with gastrointestinal problems, aches, and fever, since Wednesday evening. Yesterday, I was not well enough to finish packing, and, though I feel somewhat better today, there's no way I could be on a plane. I'm so sorry to miss the ceremony and that the ticket will not be used, unless someone wants it, and we work out a way for me to get it to them.

I cancelled my flight reservation, and I will get a refund, which surprises me. Southwest wanted to give me a free round trip ticket to travel later, but I said this was to be my last flight, so the ticket would do me no good. The airline then agreed to refund the cost, and I'm grateful to them. I cancelled my hotel reservation at no charge.

Though I'm very disappointed, I've been too ill to think about what I'll be missing, and I know I made the right decision. This, too, shall pass, and now I know I need to stick to my plan not to arrange more travel, except for short car trips.

FROM BISHOP MARC ANDRUS' BLOG

My experience at the installation of Archbishop Cordileone

A post to clarify my experience at the installation of Archbishop Cordileone at St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco.

I was dropped off at the cathedral at 1:30PM by my assistant. After making my way around protestors and showing my invitation to security guards, I was in the lower level area to which I was directed by 1:40.

The instructions the Archdiocese had given my assistant were that I should be at St. Mary's by 1:45. The service was scheduled to begin at 2.

I identified myself to an assistant to the archbishop, who spoke to someone through a headset, saying, "Bishop Andrus is here."

I saw the Greek Metropolitan, a good colleague of mine, who was in the same room with me, several Greek Orthodox priests, archdiocesan employees and security guards. I greeted the metropolitan and we spoke briefly.

An archdiocesan employee attempted to escort me upstairs with the Greek Orthodox group, but was stopped from doing so by the employee to whom I had first identified myself. This person, who appeared to be in a superior role, instructed another employee to stand with me.

At this point no other guests remained in the downstairs area. The employee and I chatted while waiting. I began to wonder about the time holdup. I checked my phone; it was 1:50PM. I asked the employee standing with me if the service indeed started at 2, which she affirmed.

At 2PM, when the service was to begin, I said to the employee, "I think I understand, and feel I should leave." Her response was, "Thank you for being understanding." I quietly walked out the door. No one attempted to stop me. No attempt was ever made to explain the delay or any process for seating. I arrived early, before the time given my assistant, and waited to leave until after the service had begun.

My intention for attending the installation was to honor our ecumenical and interfaith relations in the Bay Area.

Bishop Marc's blog.

H/T to John Chilton at The Lead for the link.

INVITED GUEST NOT WELCOME

The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, Episcopal Bishop of California and an invited guest for the installation of Archbishop-designate Salvatore Cordileone, was not allowed to be seated.  He was escorted to a basement room at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral and detained by an usher until the time the service began, whereupon Bishop Andrus left the cathedral. More information will be forthcoming as it is available.

Unbelievable.  And on the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the saint who welcomed all and from whom the the diocese takes its name.  What possible reason will Archbishop Cordileone give for this egregious breach of hospitality and lack of grace?  I can't think of any.  What an embarrassing start to his term as archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.