In anticipation of Salvatore Cordileone’s installation as Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco yesterday, Marc Andrus, the Episcopalian Bishop of California, issued what could be called a welcome letter. Here's how a friend characterized it:
Welcome to Super Gay San Francisco, Salvatore! I'll be civil toward you because we've worked together on the Millennium Development Goals, but I consider your theology about sex oppressive and will not sugar-coat that. Meanwhile, I trust you will never say anything critical of the Episcopal Church or of me. And hey, if anyone in your archdiocese's sexual left is reading this, life is great in the Episcopal Church. Come on over!
So imagine Andrus' surprise when he showed up to Cordileone's installation yesterday and was not treated as the most important guest of honor in the history of the world's installation services. Here's the AP:
Andrus said he was taken to a basement room with other invited guests, then left waiting as ushers showed everyone but him to their seats in the sanctuary, Joseph Mathews, an Episcopal spokesman said. He was still waiting when the mass had started, so he left, Mathews said.
San Francisco Archdiocese spokesman George Wesolek chalked it up to a misunderstanding. Andrus had arrived late and missed the procession of interfaith clergy who were to be seated up front. Church staff were looking for an opportunity to bring the bishop in without disrupting the service, according to Wesolek. When they went to retrieve him, he had already left.
And Andrus is livid. He's issued multiple press releases about his poor treatment and the Episcopal press has taken to their fainting couches.
I know this is because I'm a Missouri-Synod Lutheran, and our clergy have to prove their ability to win a bar fight before they are certified for ordination (or so I've heard), but Andrus needs to man up.
If he wants to use his big boy words, fine. But learn to deal with the consequences. Temper tantrums are unbecoming. And get to the church on time! Life doesn't need to be this difficult, Andrus.
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Comments:
Sep '10
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Since straw men are being erected liberally on this thread, I thought I'd clarify a couple of points:
So, look for straw men to topple, ceremoniously or summarily, elsewhere.
Jun '12
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
drlorentz: Since straw men are being erected liberally on this thread, I thought I'd clarify a couple of points:
So, look for straw men to topple, ceremoniously or summarily, elsewhere. · 0 minutes ago
I should point out that -- despite numerous accusations -- I am not deliberately building straw men.
I am basing my opinion of Mr. Urdan's opinions on his statements, including the one Dr. Lorentz highlighted where he appears to be saying a church's popularity should be more important than its doctrine.
In order to avoid any future mischaracterization, I hereby ask Mr. Urdan to state his position clearly and concisely.
Nov '11
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Did someone say disrespectful?
Nov '11
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
The cluelessness of Right Reverend Bishop Hizzoner is most palpable.
Jul '10
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Strawman arguments are not productive nor respectful, but Andrus himself has shown in plenty and thus invited contempt. It is one thing for a man of conscience to express the sentiment that, despite the direct evidence of the gospels, it is consistent with the spirit of Christ to show compassion to gays in the modern context. It is quite another to wield a sword of moral vanity against men of conscience who more closely embrace the words of Christ in informing their conscience.
Andrus is a putz, behaved as a putz, was treated as a putz, and whined about it like a putz, diminishing himself, his office, and his flock. Schisms and erosions have taught the Episcopal leadership nothing, and to nothing they return.
From very young, I have been convinced that, were I the Devil, I would seek to have religious leaders confound their will of His will, their word with the Word, and imbue their judgement with the mantle of Providence. Church is a target, vanity the enemy.
Sep '10
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Dr. Jeffrey Mirus puts the flap in context at Catholic Culture with a quote from one of the Jesuit martyrs in Elizabethan England:
and a commenter says:
Dec '11
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Rule 1 for a happy life: Don't be a [redacted].
Perhaps the Episcopalian bible excised the book of Matthew.
[edited for Code of Conduct]
Edited on October 6, 2012 at 5:32pmMar '12
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Mothership: Some Catholics may find themselves less at home with Salvatore Cordileone’s installation and they may come to The Episcopal Church.
Maybe. Maybe not. Are you hinting at what you plan to do M?
Sep '10
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
I hear Saul of Tarsus was controversial in many of the places that he preached as well.
Jun '12
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Pseudodionysius
I hear Saul of Tarsus was controversial in many of the places that he preached as well. · 1 minute ago
Even Jesus was controversial in His own home town.
Edited on October 7, 2012 at 8:38pmJun '12
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
Come on Mollie, you are putting us on! Is this an Onion story? :)
May '10
Re: Remember When You Could Call an Archbishop's Theology Oppressive and Still Expect a Warm Welcome?
tabula rasa
Felicia: Where have you been? · Oct 5 at 10:43am
Hi Tabula!
I've been embroiled in microbiology and nutrition classes. I'm not one of those casual students. Obsessive/compulsive is closer to the truth. I am compelled to know everything about the topic of study. And that is very time consuming. I pop in here as a reward or procrastination tool. You'll never know which... ;-)