Quotable Quotes

Jesus looked at the people and said, "What then does this text mean: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."
Luke 20:17-18 (quoting Psalm 118:22)


Responses to the election of The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as our new Presiding Bishop are already starting to come fast and furious. Here's one from the other side of the theological aisle that I think is worth a look:

Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, Moderator of the Anglican Communion Network of "orthodox" churches and dioceses who have been considering breaking away from the Episcopal Church, had this to say:

"Many of us had prayed for clarity to come out of this 75th General Convention as regards the true intentions of the Episcopal Church vis a vis the Anglican Communion and the orthodox in North America. Sometimes, in God's permissive will, our prayers are answered in ways we had not anticipated."
(The full text of Bishop Duncan's response is here.)

Bishop Duncan recognizes that the Network consists of churches and dioceses (three dioceses, to be exact, in the Episcopal Church) that still do not permit the ordination of women. The Network further includes Forward in Faith, a body staunchly opposed to the ordination of women. Yet Bishop Duncan honors the ordination of women in his own diocese, as do many other members of the Network. The election of Bishop Schori poses a significant problem. . .perhaps a cornerstone to fall on. . .or one that is falling. . .on the Network.

Another quote that springs to mind, courtesy of The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, Bishop of California: "Perfection is hard to maintain."