GOOD NEWS, EPISCOPALIANS

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

On 15 January 2020, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina announced that the Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley, Jr. will be visiting bishop in the diocese "during the time of transition as we seek our next bishop." Find the letter here . Presumably, this means while the SC chooses a new provisional bishop. No time frame for this was given. Bishop Skip Adams left at the end of last year.

It is important to note that Parsley will visit part-time and will not be the provisional bishop of the diocese.

All things considered, Bishop Parsley is one of the most outstanding, if not the most outstanding bishop in the recent history of the Episcopal Church. It would take much too long to give you a proper résumé of his long and distinguished life in the church. Just a couple of highlights. He was bishop coadjutor of Alabama from 1996 to 1998 and diocesan bishop from 1999-2012. In these difficult years, he built up the diocese while holding down to a minimum dissensions and defections. At the same time, he kept the diocese firmly in the mainstream of the national church. This was quite a juggling act. In 2006, he was one of the two front-runners in the election of presiding bishop. He lost narrowly from a strange set of circumstances. Any other year he would have been elected; such was the esteem he enjoyed from bishops across the country. 

Parsley is usually considered a "moderate," or non-partisan, in reference to the various parties in the church. I do not like that term. I prefer to call him a "conciliator." His mission was to bring people together, not to push them apart by strident policies. This approach certainly worked well in Alabama where he was overwhelmingly beloved (we were secretly relieved when he lost the election of presiding bishop). If I could point out his best quality, the one which South Carolina needs now more than ever, it would be as pastor. After all, that is what a bishop is all about, being the shepherd of the flock. Bishop Parley will fill that need wonderfully. 

Trust me, people of South Carolina, you are very fortunate that this model bishop and great man has agreed to minister to you. Surely this is the work of the Holy Spirit. I will assure you Bishop Parsley will love you and you will love him. Considering the trials and tribulations of the Episcopalians in lower South Carolina in recent years, this is welcomed news indeed.