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Friday, March 26, 2010

Something in the baptismal water

Dallas Bishop Suffragan Paul Lambert's posted the following to the Anglicans United website. I find it revealing and informative:
"It goes without saying that the recent Consent for the Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Los Angeles has been a topic of discussion among the gathered bishops and how that will impact our relationships with the larger Communion. Although we have not had a plenary discussion on this development we will no doubt do so when the subject of the Anglican Covenant later this week occurs.

Of course, her presence at our meeting makes it difficult to discuss this openly and honestly, both for her and the House gathered. I bid your prayers that we may have a spirit of mutual respect and forbearance for all involved. I do believe that we will do so with sensitivity and concern for all."
"Of course, her presence at our meeting makes it difficult to discuss this openly and honestly."

". . .a spirit of mutual respect and forbearance for all involved."

" . . sensitivity and concern for all."


Yes, he actually wrote those words in the same paragraph.

Yes, this is a bishop in the church.

We must - absolutely MUST - have "sensitivity and concern" for all those who find it so very hard to talk about "them" when they're not there.

I know. Hard to believe, isn't it?

There must be something in the baptismal water.

Have you read the sentiments recently expressed by the Archbishop of York, posted at Thinking Anglicans titled "General Synod Questions With Answers"?

I first had to stop chuckling at the opening line: "We now come to Questions, which you should now have in front of you in that weighty bundle on your seats'.

Ya gotta love the British way with words. 'Weighty bundle on your seat' indeed!

Toward the end (page 34), Mrs. Gill Ambrose (Ely) asks the Archbishop of York if the House of Bishops would consider "inviting a number of female observers to its meetings so that the insights of women are not lost to the church at this high level of leadership and policy development?"

And, +++York responds, "The simple answer is no. . . ."

Mrs. Ambrose presses the point and asks: "Are we to assume then that the Church can still afford not to hear the voice of women at this level when issues on which women have important things to say come up for debate in the House of Bishops?"

And, +++Himself of York responds: "Many women are, in any event, members of bishops’ staff in their dioceses. Members of the House will consequently have had the benefit of their insights in policy discussions within the diocese which will inform the thinking that they bring to the House of Bishops’ discussions."

It's a bad enough impulse to keep women out of the 'ole boy's club', but how on God's green earth could anyone believe that getting input from "staff" is the same as participating in "policy discussions"?

It's like saying, I know how "other people" (Black, Hispanic, Asian) think and feel because I employ them to drive my car and clean my house cook my meals and tend my garden and they tell me things.

Yes, I know +++York is Ugandan.

Prejudice knows no limitations. And, it destroys brain cells.

Bette Middler is quoted as having said, "When the New Year's Eve ball drops in Time Square, no matter what year it is, it's still 1950 in London."

It would appear that the same is true in parts of these United States.

See also "weighty bundle on your seat."

14 comments:

Lerewayah said...

Incroyable.

Anonymous said...

"Members of the bishops' staff?" does that mean they pour coffee and put the kettle on?

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

I'll bet it does.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

When he reaches his moment of fulfillment a small moan from yourself is encouraging to him and quite sufficient to indicate any enjoyment you may have had.

Speechless.

And the less I say about +Lambert's obnoxious, and decidedly un-Christian, remark, the better....

Doxy

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

I know. Makes me giggle - after I have successfully avoided the urge to vomit.

Geeklet said...

That 1960's article is so baffling to me.

It reminds me of all the hard work feminists did before before I was even born, and of all the work we have yet to do.

(PS: Please read "The F Word: Feminism in Jeopardy" by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. I think you'll enjoy it!)

Hokey Roosevelt said...

where DID you get your scrap of paper from !

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Thanks, Geeklet. I'll check it out.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Hokey - I have my friend Doug to thank for sending it my way. (Waves and blows a big kiss at Doug)

Kirkepiscatoid said...

What Doxy said.

"Just moan a little bit. Don't be moaning too loud or he will start realizing you like it and you might want to be fulfilled yourself."

Stand back, I gotta puke!

Lee Francis-Dehqani said...

Dear Elizabeth,

I enjoy your posts and agree with you that our HoB discussions will be the less for the absence of women, that is why so many of us are working tirelessly for legislation to hasten that day. But it is disingenuous to agree with the suggestion that women make the tea on the Bishop's Staff. In the CofE "The Bishop's Staff" refers to the Archdeacons, specialist advisors, the Deans. Thankfully we have increasing numbers fo women in all these posts.

Lee Francis-Dehqani
Vicar of Oakham, Peterborough Diocese

Bartski said...

Bp. Lambert will be confirmifying the faithful in May at my parish in Dallas. I wonder if "our presence" will make it difficult for him to preside. If so, I think he'll pretty much be left alone up there once you subtract various members of the clergy, acolytes, staff, choir, and a large number of the congregation. Respect for every human being, indeed.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

I've known Paul Lambert for years. He'll be pleasant and glad hand everyone - even LGBT people and woemn - as long as they pledge or tithe.

Mary Beth said...

He's suffragan of my diocese. Just another part of this Long Strange Trip.