Presiding Bishop Schori Eager to Build Relationships in Tanzania

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said she has not taken personally statements by some Global South primates that they will “refuse to sit with her” during the meeting of Anglican leaders next month in Tanzania, but she expressed concern that such comments were “disrespectful” of her office.

“I wonder how they would feel if someone said things like that about them,” she said.

Lately the Anglican Communion has exhibited multiple personalities, according to Bishop Jefferts Schori. “In some places it seems anxious and distracted and in others it appears to be engaged and focused. Parish-to-parish contacts and diocese-to-diocese relationships remain strong, she said.

“I’m a person who lives in hope. I expect that I’ll meet some new friends [in Tanzania] and have some challenging encounters. That keeps life interesting.

“I am looking forward to beginning to get to know the other primates and understand their positions. I would like to find areas where we can work together. For example, Nigeria is a significant source of oil for the U.S. and the resource has become subject to exploitation in a way that has hurt the people living in the area where the oil reserves are located. Perhaps we could work together on that.” Read more