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All Are Welcome, Episcopal Bishop Says

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

TAMPA - Some call her approach too idealistic and unrealistic.

But Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Episcopal Church's first female presiding bishop, remains firm in her belief that "all are welcome at the table" of her denomination, an opinion not all Anglicans share.

"It's not my job or any other person's job to keep people away from that table," says Jefferts Schori, 54, who makes her first visit to the Diocese of Southwest Florida this week.

"You do that, and you limit the conversation. But some human beings have always had a hard time getting along with people who don't agree with them."

There have been plenty of disagreements and in-fighting within the denomination, over issues such as the ordination of gay clergy and the installation of a gay bishop.

Several parishes have left the American church, which is seeing a declining membership: 2.1 million in 2007, down from 2.3 million in 2002. Two dioceses so far - Pittsburgh and San Joaquin, Calif. - voted to sever ties. More than 20 provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion claim a "broken relationship" with the Episcopal Church, citing differences in philosophy and practice.

The Rev. Dennis Kezar of St. Mary's Episcopal Parish in Tampa called the bishop a "bright and capable" leader, but noted that all of her gifts and talents will be challenged.

"Her view that the church should welcome all of God's children is a wonderful thing," he said. "But whether they should all be entitled to ordination is another matter completely."

Jefferts Schori, who just completed two years of her nine-year term, remains optimistic about the denomination's future.

"We're somewhat calmer these days living with the diversity of opinion," she said. "Some of the most challenging questions just aren't prone to resolution. But we've learned we can live in the tension. That's something Anglicans and Episcopalians are good at."

(Episcopalians are the U.S.-based part of the Anglican Communion, an association of 44 regional and national Anglican and Episcopalian churches.)

She chooses instead to focus on the triumphs of Episcopalians who dedicate themselves to serving the needy here and abroad. A favorite success story: Nets for Life, which supplies netting to malaria-prone countries in Africa and elsewhere.

Her challenges seem minor compared to those of the winner of the 2008 presidential election. She offers this prayer to the victor: "I hope he remembers he is to care for all of the people of this country."

SCHEDULE

5 p.m. Thursday: Celebrates the opening Eucharist of the biannual meeting of the National Association of Episcopal Schools in Tampa. Limited to conference attendees.

8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Friday: Meets with clergy at Dayspring Conference Center near Ellenton.

6 p.m. Friday: Speaks and takes questions at a reception hosted by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Venice. Tickets are required and available through all churches within the diocese.

11 a.m. Saturday: Visits young adults at a retreat at Dayspring at 11 a.m., followed by a private lunch with Bishop Dabney Smith and the diocesan Men's Ministry group.

3 p.m. Saturday: Tour of Berkeley Preparatory and St. John's Day schools in Tampa.

9 a.m. Sunday: Celebrates the Eucharist at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Tampa. Public is invited; no tickets necessary.

For information, call (941) 556-0315.

Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613.

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