The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
May 2008

A Visit of Grace

The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish and the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori share a light moment as the Utah clergy gather for a picture. Dialogue photo.

The 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church graced the diocese with a two day whirlwind visit for a special Diocesan Spring Weekend April 18th and 19th. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori made her first official visit to Utah to listen and inspire the nearly 6,000 Episcopalians in Utah and northern Arizona. She brought messages of concern for the earth, advocacy for those without voice, compassion for all who share our environment, and hope for a better tomorrow.

On Friday she met with the press and then conducted the Spring Weekend Conference. The first woman Presiding Bishop is known for her inclusiveness, her candor about our changing church, and her decisiveness in dealing with division within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. She told the media that those seeking division make up a small number of Episcopalians. She said it is less than one percent who want to leave.

Bishop Katharine, as she asked people to call her, sees extreme poverty, the greed of abundance, and the environment as the biggest challenges. The scientist, who holds her Ph.D. in oceanography, called on Episcopalians to further embrace our ministry to protect the earth. The leader of the church in 16 countries also stresses protection for all creatures—not just human beings. She reminded all of how dependent we are on all that inhabit our world. She cited bacteria that eats what would otherwise harm us. "The smallest of life keeps us in business." She said she is convinced if we were to rewrite the Book of Common Prayer today, we would include prayers for "healing the earth."

She also held informal discussions about violence and compassion. She talked to civic leaders and youth with her messages about humanity. She echoed the theme in a sermon on Saturday where she discussed fear. Jefferts Schori is not one to suggest Episcopalians take quiet roles in outreach. She followed up the service with a public speech "Civic Life and Religion." She encouraged followers to become politically active and form partnerships for good. She reminded the packed St. Mark's Cathedral crowd that "Jesus was a political animal."

The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish joined the Presiding Bishop in one of the major and most pleasant tasks of the visit. It was the blessing of the Episcopal Church Center of Utah. Bishop Katharine made the ECCU her home while in Utah. She said she was amazed at what the church has done in its new home and retreat center. A brass band welcomed the festive occasion of the blessing, and applause concluded it.

The cold weather broke for the weekend, the Cathedral and ECCU flowers were in bloom, and it will be remembered as a visit of Grace.

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