Posted on 08/01/2006 7:45:44 PM PDT by fgoodwin
TESTING THE FAITH: New top Episcopal bishop challenged on her resume
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51325
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
School of theology, priestly experience questioned, but same-sex marriage advocate will lead U.S. church
Posted: August 1, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
The newly elected presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church lists as her major qualifications for office positions at two institutions shrouded in mystery and without any formal accreditation – if they exist at all.
That's the finding of an investigation of the rise of Katharine Jefferts Schori, 52, a pilot and oceanographer and strong advocate for same-sex marriage and homosexual ordination by Virtue Online, which describes itself as "the voice for global orthodox Anglicanism."
Schori and the nominating committee for the election that took place in June list as Schori's major qualifications the following positions she reportedly held:
* pastoral associate and dean of the Good Samaritan School of Theology, Corvallis, Ore., from 1994-2000;
* priest in charge of El Buen Samaritano, Corvallis, Ore.
Terry Ward, a writer for Virtue Online, says he could find no record of the existence of the Good Samaritan School of Theology in his examination of the web pages and church newsletters of the Good Samaritan Church of Corvallis, Ore., the web pages of the Episcopal Church USA and the Oregon and Nevada Dioceses, the web pages of the Association of Theological School, which lists all accredited and affiliated institutions in the U.S. and Canada.
"None of these sources showed any evidence that the 'Good Samaritan School of Theology' existed as an independent organization with staff or facilities," Ward wrote. "There was no mention of the school or of the titles or positions (dean, pastoral associate) associated with the school."
But there is now.
Just do a search for the school and you will find dozens of references to it, in USA Today, Washington Post and other major papers – all involving the election of Schori and her reliance on that major qualification.
There is no trace of the Good Samaritan School of Theology in the city phone directories of Corvallis or Benton County, Ore.
Asked in writing to explain her reference to this presumably phantom school of theology in her resume, Schori responded: "The Good Samaritan School of Theology was the then-rector's term for all adult education programs, both internally and externally focused. They included initiation of such programs as Education for Ministry; 'popcorn theology' (movies and discussion); a weeknight meal and education offerings for all ages; Lenten and Advent series; satellite downlink programs with discussion (begun in the days when ECTN and Trinity were doing so many effective ones); invited speakers; Sunday adult forums; inquirers' classes; confirmation classes; and so on. At one point, the School offered a set of historical liturgies, about seven or eight from the time of the church father Hippolytus through the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; the series featured instructed Eucharists."
Asked to explain "El Buen Samaritano," and her priestly duties there, Schori explained: "El Buen Samaritano was the Spanish-language congregation based at Good Samaritan, essentially a parochial mission. I acted as vicar with primary liturgical and pastoral responsibility."
Schori won election in June at the church's General Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Episcopal bishops elected her on the fifth ballot. She was the only woman among seven candidates.
The Church of England does not yet allow women bishops and is not expected to until at least 2012. But the Episcopal Church – the American version of the Anglicans – began accepting women priests and bishops 30 years ago. However, churches in California, Illinois and Texas still bar women clergy.
In her state, the Episcopal Church blesses same-sex unions and Schori is an advocate for such ceremonies. In 2003, she supported the election of a homosexual bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire.
At the General Convention that elected her, Schori gave a sermon that included a reference to "Our Mother Jesus." She said: "That sweaty, bloody, tear-stained cross bears life. Our Mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation, and we are his children."
There is no trace of the Good Samaritan School of Theology in the city phone directories of Corvallis or Benton County, Ore.
Uh-oh! Oops!
Probably as group of 6 people, counting babies. Those words "I acted as"... "I acted as chairmen of the board of my newspaper delivery company when I was 12 years old"
"So she basically lied and tried to deceived everyone, by changing her role as head Sunday School teacher into a college dean position."
Aw..she can now join the Roman Catholic Womenpriests and become a Cardinal.
What is Satan? The Father of Lies?
Wow, if the DRE at my parish decided to declare herself "Dean of St. Luke School of Theology," does that mean I could add "Theology Professor" to my resume? I've taught preschool, adult Bible study, and I'm in my second year with the 5th grade!
How sweet. Welcome to Free Republic.
Nailed it in one.
Welcome to FRee Republic.
Are you sure you are in the right forum? There are plenty of left-leaning forums more consistent with your views.
Hey tax how you doing. We had our first triple digit temperature day today.
I do however sense a bit of a schism occurring.
In other words, the Episcopal Church was never anything more than a Rotary club - that is why it has been so sucessfull!
Buddy, (and I use the term lightly :) ), let me give you a clue... if you think that the ECUSA should ordain homosexuals and marry them, and that anyone who criticizes that is a "basher", your time here might be very, very short.
I'm fine! How are you, aside from the heat? We're expecting 100+ today, for the second day.
I am trying to keep the use of electricity to a minimum, just the fans, AC, computer, and a small tv.
In response to "...I know that the New York Times and the Democratic Party have decared war on the USA" ... I say, it sure does depend on who you ask ... 'cause I'd have thought that Conservatives and Republicans had declared war on the New York Times and the Democratic Party!
No matter what one's position ... there are countless ways to reply. Whether or not one includes venom is up to the one making the remark. However one should know that venom tends to destroy the credibility of any statement. Moreover, it lacks civility as well as Christian -- and even Conservative -- principle.
I sympathize! I'm about to run, now that the baby is napping, and then I'll lie under a fan and breathe heavily the rest of the morning :-). I keep turning the thermostat up, but my husband comes along and turns it down, so the electric bill will probably be astronomical this month.
This afternoon I think we'll go to the library and let the Mecklenburg County taxpayers keep us cool for a while!
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