tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post20081890147165880..comments2023-09-21T08:53:42.554+01:00Comments on blethers: Bottom, thou art translated ...or Bishop's MoveChristine McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14198224025775398453noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-35801852243344985062020-01-30T11:54:51.956+00:002020-01-30T11:54:51.956+00:00This is a significant comment, Perpetua, and touch...This is a significant comment, Perpetua, and touches on the intimacy of the Scottish Church which can lead to the sort of horrendous responses I’ve noted. In the SEC some Dioceses are no bigger than a decent sized parish of the CofE, and the Bishop is not some far-off figure, but a personality known fairly intimately buy members in the various congregations. A&tI is huge, geographically, but is in effect a small closely knit community of Pisckies.<br /><br />I think the situation is almost like a husband coming home from work and suddenly announcing that he demands a divorce, despite the fact that the wife perceives that the marriage is strong and stable. After the shock, denial, anger, and all that stuff, is natural. You simply assume that your Shepherd will remain with you until retiral, and indeed you are anticipating a huge party rather than divorce.<br /><br />I feel very much for the folk of Argyll and the Isles. Diocesan life is not easy there, and throws up so many challenges. I can only pray that a new bishop can be elected as soon as the Canon allows it, and that even stronger bonds can be fostered among them in the meantime.Fr Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09825687159958396082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-79623128580193024812020-01-28T10:09:04.218+00:002020-01-28T10:09:04.218+00:00I do feel for you. As a member of another small An...I do feel for you. As a member of another small Anglican province (the Church in Wales) I know how desperately important competent pastoral communication is. The Bishop of Bangor who ordained me to the priesthood in 1997 was translated to Llandaff 3 years later. In the days before Facebook and Twitter the appointment was announced in a Pastoral Letter and though we were sad to lose our fine Bishop, we recognised that his gifts were very much needed in the province's most populous diocese at that particular time,<br /><br />We too have had examples of diocesan electoral colleges failing to agree, with the subsequent need for the Bench of Bishops to make an appointment. In a small province any controversy surrounding an appointment resonates very much more widely and painfully than it would in a bigger one. We are family and family disagreements hurt and can take a long time to heal. <br /><br />I do hope your Bishops and administrators learn a lesson from this painful situation, which could have been avoided with a bit more pastoral sensitivity.<br />Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-14594771158750143422020-01-27T23:29:54.135+00:002020-01-27T23:29:54.135+00:00“ ...offering a period of transition, the 4 Bishop...“ ...offering a period of transition, the 4 Bishops (at that time) imposed a female, who had carried out SSM in her previous parish.”<br /><br />Good. High time to wake up. I’m glad to note +Anne and another from A&O were officiating/leading/celebrating the 25th Anniversary celebration a few weeks ago.Timhttp://sty.nu/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-74772235628702474702020-01-27T17:57:19.090+00:002020-01-27T17:57:19.090+00:00AGREE - After Bishop Shaw left, A & TI was in ...AGREE - After Bishop Shaw left, A & TI was in great need of a Bishop, who could put Pastoral Care (your original blog) at the forefront of his/her Ministry.<br />Also a Bishop who knew the Diocese: its geography, history, culture & its peoples.<br />There were several candidates in this category.<br />Unfortunately, they were discouraged from applying before the election procedure began where you were an elector.<br /><br />Your comment “……Church…..21st Century…..must be seen to overcome blatant prejudice within its numbers…”<br />Born into Scottish Episcopalianism, as a child, adult & now a Senior Citizen, I have never observed discrimination within a variety of congregations I have been part of. <br />Indeed several of us look back and now recognise those, for example, who were LBGYTQ, but were an integral part of of our church/congregation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A couple of points: the utter necessity to make an appointment was plain in the case of AaTI ten or so years ago. As an elector at the time, I didn't feel there was any question of subsuming or a "cabal of bishops”. <br /><br /><br /><br />If the church is to have any missional success in the twenty first century, it must be seen to overcome blatant prejudice within its numbers if it is to tackle other examples of such prejudice in the world. Given our current extremist politics, for example, this is ever more important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-3073769820568024272020-01-27T17:21:39.919+00:002020-01-27T17:21:39.919+00:00Having read your original blog and the comment in ...Having read your original blog and the comment in response. These so-called Episcopal elections are the beginning of the end of the Scottish Episcopal Church. This Church of ours was the first and original Church of Scotland, slowly but surely the church is being obliterated by the ever increasing Anglicisation of the church and its institutions. The appointment of Bishops in secret is the norm in the Church Of England and make no mistake we are being subsumed into that church. The respondent to your blog rightly highlighted the legal processes under which these elections take place, it does not require the wisdom of Solomon to see that the College of Bishops have the reins of power firmly in their hands and any involvement by the layity is merely tolerated, but definitely discouraged. The previous electoral process was skewed to ensure that the current incumbent was appointed. If he was such a good choice for this Diocese why did he not stand in the selection process? Perhaps he could not risk the prospect of failure. Having served his time in the fringes of Scotland he is further appointed (Translated) to one of the largest Diocese in terms of numbers. One could ask, was it in recognition of his successful stewardship of Argyll and The Isles, and his skills and talent are needed in in Glasgow, only those members sitting in the scattered churches of the West can truly Judge and comment. These self same members will recall the meetings with Bishop Mark Strange where they made clear who they wanted as a Bishop the fable that no one wanted to stand is further evidence of the corrupt nature of secrecy. It is important to recall the words of Sir John Dalberg-Anton when he wrote to an Anglican Bishop "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and great men are usually bad men"!!!! I have become so sickened by the abuses carried out by the College of Bishops that I am now no longer a member of the church I am become one of the unchurched, the result of this action of mine is that my faith is stronger than ever, unsullied by the corrosive effects of church governance. If there still remains in your heart a scintilla of hope that what happens is for your good and benefit, try and raise a contentious point at one of these travesties called Synods, only what the Bishop wants and will allow is discussed, you will not be heard nor called to speak. Make yourselves strong because your Diocese is in danger of being broken up and divided between Bishops Strange and Pearson, harden your hearts to their siren voices. As to the church playing a part in the resolution of political strife, perhaps it should put its own house in order first !!!Robin MacDonald-Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12869737660102270677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-3056334119186372582020-01-26T17:43:57.506+00:002020-01-26T17:43:57.506+00:00A couple of points: the utter necessity to make an...A couple of points: the utter necessity to make an appointment was plain in the case of AaTI ten or so years ago. As an elector at the time, I didn't feel there was any question of subsuming or a "cabal of bishops". <br /><br />If the church is to have any missional success in the twenty first century, it must be seen to overcome blatant prejudice within its numbers if it is to tackle other examples of such prejudice in the world. Given our current extremist politics, for example, this is ever more important.Christine McIntoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198224025775398453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19191002.post-35636250438515027782020-01-23T18:06:05.304+00:002020-01-23T18:06:05.304+00:00Thank you for posting your interesting blog on the...Thank you for posting your interesting blog on the recent Translation announcement.<br /><br />Despite the official SEC announcement containing the word ‘election/elected’ around ten/10 times, this is a misuse of the word for the process used by the Episcopal Synod - rather the publication should have referred to ‘appointment/appointed’…. see below Canon 4 point 10<br /><br />Since 2010, there have been 3 appointments:<br />2010 = Kevin Pearson to Argyll & The Isles<br />2017 = Anne Dyer to Aberdeen & Orkney<br />2020 = Kevin Pearson to Glasgow & Galloway.<br />Somewhat concerning, that the democratic process of electing a Bishop, once a cornerstone of Scottish Episcopacy, has been subsumed by the Cabal of Bishops. <br />It is known, that one Bishop has stated, that in his opinion, the laity should have no participation in the choice of a Bishop for a Diocese - only the Cof B should be allowed to make the appointment.<br />Indeed, approximately with just over one month away from Diocesan Synods, one could add, that the democratic process, opinions, votes cast at these Synods are now mostly or even entirely ignored.<br />It is worth noting, that Ms Dyer’s appointment paid no consideration that A & O was ‘a traditional Diocese’, had expressed that unanimously at their Diocesan Synod pre-Canon 31 vote at Provincial Synod 2017…..instead of taking a more conciliatory position and offering a period of transition, the 4 Bishops (at that time) imposed a female, who had carried out SSM in her previous parish. <br />What comes to mind is an authoritarian parent making their child eat sago pudding every day - even if it made him/her sick until the child was forced to say it liked it and was eager for more!<br />In 2 Dioceses above, since Canon 31, a church has ceded from SEC and on the appointment in A & O combined with Canon 31, another - together with one in Edinburgh. 4 in all.<br />All this information is on-line, but NOT on any official SEC site or Agenda.<br /><br />Pastoral Care should be at the forefront of a Bishop’s Ministry - don’t they carry a shepherd’s crook as a visible symbol and reminder?<br /><br />CANON 4 POINT 10<br />ASSENT OF THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS<br />Prior to the meeting of the Preparatory Committee at which the list of names of candidates is agreed, the College of Bishops shall have been consulted. The name of any person who is not agreed as acceptable by the College of Bishops may not be included in the list of names of candidates. The reasons for such decisions shall be recorded in the minutes of the College of Bishops, which minutes shall be confidential. Such members of the Preparatory Committee as are bishops shall be charged by the College of Bishops with informing the Preparatory Committee of the unacceptability of any proposed candidate. The appearance of any name on the list of names of candidates shall be regarded as evidence that that name is acceptable to the College of Bishops. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com