Statement from the Diocese of Quincy on the Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori
June 19th, 2006 by Peter Frank
(Released June 18, 2006)
Today was a day of intrigue with the election of the new PB. Many are stunned that this has happened. Read more below about this.
In the midst of all of this, however, we are reminded of the great goodness of God to us. Fr. Steven Lally and Fr. Ed Monk had the assignment to today of monitoring the HOB’s PB election. In the midst of waiting 6 ½ hours we had the marvelous opportunity to minister to many who were simply walking by including two hours with a man who was having suicidal thoughts, and one who seemed disaffected from another church. God is good, all the time.
The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church elected this afternoon The Right Reverend Katharine Jefforts Schori, the Bishop of Nevada, as the XXVI Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. The House of Deputies voted to confirm.
On the fifth ballot, Bishop Schori received 95 votes from the assembled Bishops. Bishop Henry Parsley received 82 votes. 95 votes were need for an election (and no, that repetitious number is not a mistake).
Jefferts-Schori was ordained deacon and priest in 1994, and consecrated bishop in 2001.
This action is important because it brings deep clarity to the issue of the position of the Episcopal Church within the life of the Anglican Communion.
The most significant concern raised by the election of Jefferts-Schori as Presiding Bishop is the validity of the apostolic succession of the Episcopal Church as she takes the role of Chief Consecrator of Bishops for the Episcopal Church
For reference:
-Bishop Schori voted in favor of the ordination and consecration of V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire
-Bishop Schori voted in favor of the blessing of same sex unions.
We offer our prayers for Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as she begins this ministry.