A Prophet Honored in her own Country?

From the Nevada Appeal:

"Come November, the nation's first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal church will put Nevada in the spotlight and herself in a familiar territory - on the fringe of a turbulent world.

"Katharine Jefferts Schori, the current bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, knows the challenges of sitting in a male-dominated post that represents 110 dioceses across the nation and works with 300 bishops...

"After about two decades of service, she was elected to the highest post of the church in June, the Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. The position will also serve as a U.S. diplomat to the international Christian community..."

Lydia's note: This is another example of the inflation of ++KJS's experience. Unless each year of the episcopate pays medallion miles..er, bonus years, then I don't consider twelve years as "about two decades." Even with three years of seminary, we're only talking about 15 years. Maybe they're figuring that she was ordained in the 1990s and now we're in 'the 2000s' -- that's two decades...

Read the rest here.

One more bit from this article. ++KJS, speaking on ECUSA's approach to birth control, sexuality, and divorce, notes that "We're more flexible than the Catholic church." The author of this article then makes a stunning observation: "The irony is, Catholicism was part of the Episcopal Church before a split in the 1500s."

Talk about getting the cart before the horse. The Roman Catholic Church as a part of the Episcopal Church before the Reformation/Schism? More on this from Doug LeBlanc.

We Did Remember to Check Her References, Didn't We?

PB-elect Katharine Jefferts Schori is being challenged on her resume:

"The newly elected presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church lists as her major qualifications for office positions at two institutions shrouded in mystery and without any formal accreditation – if they exist at all.

"That's the finding of an investigation of the rise of Katharine Jefferts Schori, 52, a pilot and oceanographer and strong advocate for same-sex marriage and homosexual ordination by Virtue Online, which describes itself as "the voice for global orthodox Anglicanism."

"Schori and the nominating committee for the election that took place in June list as Schori's major qualifications the following positions she reportedly held:

pastoral associate and dean of the Good Samaritan School of Theology, Corvallis, Ore., from 1994-2000;

priest in charge of El Buen Samaritano, Corvallis, Ore.

"Terry Ward, a writer for Virtue Online, says he could find no record of the existence of the Good Samaritan School of Theology in his examination of the web pages and church newsletters of the Good Samaritan Church of Corvallis, Ore., the web pages of the Episcopal Church USA and the Oregon and Nevada Dioceses, the web pages of the Association of Theological School, which lists all accredited and affiliated institutions in the U.S. and Canada.

"None of these sources showed any evidence that the 'Good Samaritan School of Theology' existed as an independent organization with staff or facilities," Ward wrote. "There was no mention of the school or of the titles or positions (dean, pastoral associate) associated with the school."

"But there is now.

"Just do a search for the school and you will find dozens of references to it, in USA Today, Washington Post and other major papers – all involving the election of Schori and her reliance on that major qualification."

Read the rest here.

Set in her Ways? Expect More of the Same from Politically Active PB-elect

"The Episcopal Church's Election of its first female presiding bishop has made a split with the Anglican Communion even more likely. Katharine Jefferts Schori delighted Episcopalians who support gay bishops, same-sex unions, and other liberal social policies. But her victory also confirmed what church conservatives have long feared: The liberal majority is going to keep pushing until the leftward drift of the past few decades is complete.

"Jefferts Schori embodies the Episcopal evolution. While bishop of Nevada, she voted for a gay bishop's consecration and allowed same-sex blessings. She was also noted for her political activism. In letters to Nevada politicians, she quoted Scripture and used the power of her office to lobby for liberal policies.

"On April 21, 2004, she wrote to Nevada senators Harry Reid and John Ensign on the subject of immigration: "The Bible repeatedly enjoins people of faith to remember the stranger, to care for those without family or roots in a place, and to ensure that they are fed, housed, and shown hospitality." She then chastised the United States for "[forgetting] that mandate, especially since September 11th," because "the fear-mongering of late has eclipsed the demand to treat our neighbors fairly and humanely."

"In an October 31, 2005 letter to Nevada's entire congressional delegation, Jefferts Schori opposed the FY 2006 federal budget reconciliation, which provided funding for Hurricane Katrina relief. "The budget process provides the opportunity for Congress and the President to work together to address the poverty that exists in this nation," she explained. "Congress must not exacerbate poverty . . . by passing a budget that further impoverishes one group of already poor people in our nation in order to help those newly or more deeply impoverished by the recent hurricanes . . . . We must not ask the poorest among us to bear a burden which should be borne by this entire nation."

Read the rest from Jamie Deal in the Weekly Standard.