While this statement is hardly a surprise and will likely not change anyone’s mind, it is one more step toward making gay and lesbian rights the social default position.

In that case, however, does this summer’s General Convention really need to spend vast amounts of time discussing the issue? In particular, do we really need special liturgies for same-sex unions when we have already have a perfectly good marriage liturgy? If gay marriage is marriage of the same import as straight marriage, the sacramental blessing should be identical. –J. Douglas Ousley

“House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson has invited young adults to dream about church.”

No comment. –J. Douglas Ousley

Most conventions in the past decades have at the same time rejected resolutions that would have reduced the number of delegates. Our Assistant Minister just pointed out to me that the Bishop of Long Island recently signalled his intention to introduce such a resolution this summer. He would reduce the clergy and lay delegations by half and permit only active bishops and suffragans to attend the House of Bishops.

The standard objection is that fewer delegates would mean fewer minority representatives. (I don’t think anyone would now worry about fewer women, since the two Convention figureheads and the majority of many delegations are already female.) And many voting will realize that a smaller convention will deprive them of their chance to attend in the future.

Still, Bishop Provenzano’s case is cogently argued and hard to refute. The fact that he is on the extreme liberal wing of the church may also help his plea for radical–yet reasonable–change. –J. Douglas Ousley

The President now has her own web site (interestingly, the Episcopal Church web site doesn’t link to this site, at least as far as I can tell.) And in a recent post, Bonnie Anderson referred to herself as reigning at the top of the church hierarchy from her office in Michigan, along with the Presiding Bishop at her office at 815 Second Avenue, New York City.

Now, 815 Second Avenue has been recognized as the “National Church” headquarters for quite some time; not so, “Christ Church, Michigan.” As a pyramid only has one true highest point, we might wish that our hierarchy retain its traditional single shepherd, The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.–J. Douglas Ousley

Some bishops are concerned that Ms. Anderson is leading a campaign equal rights for laity that will stir controversy at this summer’s General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Since “Episcopal” refers to our leadership by bishops who are the successors of the apostles, it is by no means clear that this campaign is orthodox. And given that Ms. Anderson and the current Presiding Bishop seem to agree on almost every issue facing the church, it is not clear that the church would benefit by having two chiefs rather than one.

I note however that recent press releases from church headquarters refer to Bonnie Anderson as PHOD–President of the House of Deputies, like the Secret Service nickname for the President of the United States, POTUS. In my view, “PHOD” reflects a delusion of grandeur that is as dangerous as it is unwarranted. –J. Douglas Ousley

“Dr. Ramsey is a theologian, a scholar, and a man of prayer. Therefore he is entirely unsuitable.”

Michael Ramsey nevertheless was appointed the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, and he went on to become perhaps the most popular English bishop of the 20th century. That he was a scholar and a man of prayer turned out not to be disadvantageous. –J. Douglas Ousley

I love my job and try never to complain; most days, it hardly seems like work. My job is certainly easier than the work most of my parishioners do. But the early retirements and resignations of so many of my colleagues recently makes me wonder if being a “cardinal” rector is not what it used to be. More demanding parishioners may be a problem, as well as less money. Or this may just be a generational blip. Time will tell.

But for one parish, a sobering announcement on Palm Sunday. –J. Douglas Ousley

A rumor that Archbishop Rowan Williams would leave had been circulating for some time but the decision was still surprising. Most Archbishops  have stayed at least into their late sixties, if not until the mandatory Church of England retirement age of 60; Williams is now 61.

It’s not surprising that few in the Anglican Communion will be heralding the Archbishop’s ten-year reign as a huge success. For the conservatives, Williams was too wishy-washy; for the liberals, he was too compromising. Saddest of all is the undeniable goodness and talent of Rowan Williams, the man. If he couldn’t dampen the fires of controversy, who could? Who can? –J. Douglas Ousley

Last Saturday, the new bishop co-adjutor of the Diocese of New York was installed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. As far as I know, the Times offered no coverage. One local television station referred to the new “bishop co-agitator,” but that was about it. Many commentators have noted the declining media attention paid to the mainline Protestant churches. Here is an example–all the more striking when the Cardinal Archbishop of New York recently received days of front page attention. –J. Douglas Ousley

There is anything wrong with such activities in themselves, of course. But I am a bit troubled by the idea that students need to organize themselves into groups to do these things–on top of classes, chapel services, special interest organizations based on sexuality and race, counseling and advising groups, administrative committees, and field work activities. Would a seminarian be better off going for a walk by herself or meditating on her own?

By far the greatest source of trouble for clergy at all stages of their careers is burnout. And burnout is very often caused by the felt need to go from one activity to another–especially from one meeting to another. More to the point theologically, we are justified by faith, not by groups. By the same token, spiritual wellness ultimately comes not through a busy schedule, but through grace. –J. Douglas Ousley