NEW BISHOP OF UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA CONSECRATED
"We are all in this together," exclaimed the Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, as he looked back and forth today to the bishops of the upper and lower dioceses of South Carolina. We, together, indeed. South Carolina is a small state but it is split roughly west and east between two dioceses which, although they separated in 1922, remain closely tied in many ways. In fact, on Curry's right today sat Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, bishop of lower SC, and on his left, Andrew Waldo, bishop of upper SC. How fitting.
The ordination and consecration of Daniel Richards today as the next bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina was a joyous festival of the modern Episcopal Church at its best, the place for all people. The scene was in Trinity Cathedral, Columbia SC.
The Rt. Rev. Daniel Richards will replace the Rt. Rev. Andrew Waldo as diocesan bishop of Upper South Carolina. Other shots from the livestream:
The bishop-elect stands before the Presiding Bishop to make the oaths. Bishop Woodliff-Stanley is on PB Curry's right.
The new bishop lies prostrate before the altar as a sign of humility and obedience to God. Bishop Waldo is on Curry's left.
The Very Rev. Rebecca McClain, of Trinity Cathedral, in Phoenix AZ, delivered the homily tracing Richards's extraordinary journey of faith and giving hints at what the people of SC may expect as he continues his journey.
A crush of bishops provides the Laying on of Hands bestowing the Apostolic Succession to the new bishop, a succession of nearly two thousand years.
A gospel choir lifts everyone's spirit.
The new bishop celebrates his first Eucharist as bishop before the packed house. If he were nervous, he certainly did not show it. He was cool, calm, and collected. This speaks volumes about what kind of bishop he will be.
At the conclusion, the new bishop gives his first blessing as bishop.
Upper SC and the whole Episcopal Church are fortunate to have this new bishop, a young and dynamic man of faith and vision. He will certainly guide the diocese along the right path.
Episcopalians everywhere should rejoice. Ours is the church of, by, and for the people, all the people, white, black, men, women, gay, straight, young, old. All are included, all are welcomed at the table, and all treated as equal children of God.
Yet, I could not help being struck by the poignancy of the last hymn, "The Church's One Foundation," Tho' with a scornful wonder the world sees her oppressed, by schisms rent asunder...
A few blocks from Trinity Cathedral in Columbia stands another "cathedral" that is a product of a schism of the Episcopal Church. In a few days, the dean of this cathedral will be consecrated as the bishop of the new schismatic diocese in South Carolina. One may expect this to be a very different kind of service then we witnessed today in Columbia.
Regardless of oppressions and schisms, the Episcopal Church still stands, still fights for human rights, and still has much to offer for all of us. True enough, it lies badly wounded and bleeding from the slings and arrows of those who wish to destroy it. Doing the right thing is sometimes, often, costly, but we do it anyway because it is the right thing and in the long run right prevails. Today's festival was confirmation of the vibrant spirit of the Episcopal Church.
