Rex novus in Aegypto.
The other day Archbishop Cordileone was “installed” (a fitting word given the shape of the Cathedral in San Francisco). You may recall that just days before the installation the Episcopalian (Episcopal) “Bishop” of California, Marc Andrus, wrote a hit piece, distorting Catholic doctrine concerning pastoral care of homosexual persons. I wrote about Andrus HERE. Among the ways Andrus bashed the Catholic Church and denigrated Archbp. Cordileone, there was also this:
Claiming that the appointment of Archbishop Cordileone was met with mixed reactions by San Franciscans of “all or no faith tradition,” Bishop Andrus invited Catholics “less at home” with their new bishop to “come to The Episcopal Church.”
At the end of my post about “Bishop” Andrus I wrote this:
I hope Archbp. Cordileone declines the first opportunity to share a worship space with this guy.
Stop the presses!
First, the website of the Episcopal Diocese of California issued a statement. (There isn’t a time stamp on the original post HERE, but the update shows that the Piskies fired the first shot). In that first statement, the Episcopalians explain that Andrus was not allowed to participate at the installation of Archbishop Cordileone.
In an article from local SF press we read that the archdiocesan spokesman says that this was all a misunderstanding. Andrus was late and they were trying to figure out how to get him worked in. However, I have not seen anything on the website of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Another straight news story about the event is HERE, adding that the spokesman spoke with AP.
But wait! There’s more.
Then Andrus, on his blog, subsequently disputes the archdiocesan spokesman’s claim, saying that he was in fact on time, etc. etc. “Bishop” Andrus described on his blog what happened. My emphases.
My experience at the installation of Archbishop Cordileone
A post to clarify my experience at the installation of Archbishop Cordileone at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco.
I was dropped off at the cathedral at 1:30PM by my assistant. After making my way around protestors and showing my invitation to security guards, I was in the lower level area to which I was directed by 1:40.
The instructions the Archdiocese had given my assistant were that I should be at St. Mary’s by 1:45. The service was scheduled to begin at 2.
I identified myself to an assistant to the archbishop, who spoke to someone through a headset, saying, “Bishop Andrus is here.”
I saw the Greek Metropolitan, a good colleague of mine, who was in the same room with me, several Greek Orthodox priests, archdiocesan employees and security guards. I greeted the metropolitan and we spoke briefly.
An archdiocesan employee attempted to escort me upstairs with the Greek Orthodox group, but was stopped from doing so by the employee to whom I had first identified myself. This person, who appeared to be in a superior role, instructed another employee to stand with me.
At this point no other guests remained in the downstairs area. The employee and I chatted while waiting. I began to wonder about the time holdup. I checked my phone; it was 1:50PM. I asked the employee standing with me if the service indeed started at 2, which she affirmed.
At 2PM, when the service was to begin, I said to the employee, “I think I understand, and feel I should leave.” Her response was, “Thank you for being understanding.” I quietly walked out the door. No one attempted to stop me. No attempt was ever made to explain the delay or any process for seating. I arrived early, before the time given my assistant, and waited to leave until after the service had begun.
My intention for attending the installation was to honor our ecumenical and interfaith relations in the Bay Area.
I was dropped off at the cathedral at 1:30PM by my assistant. After making my way around protestors and showing my invitation to security guards, I was in the lower level area to which I was directed by 1:40.Regardless of possible misunderstandings or of possible pre-meditated plans, the fact remains that “Bishop” Andrus, who had bashed the Catholic Church just days before, was not seated for the installation of Archbp. Cordileone.
That’s just fine with me.
We need a new approach to ecumenism that does NOT include lying on the ground and letting ourselves be kicked by our partners in dialogue.
UPDATE:
More from the Episcopal Digital Network. HERE
