Smoking Bishop

I wish this post were about the Olde English drink called "Smoking Bishop" immortalized in the last lines of Charles Dickens' immensely Christian work - "A Christmas Carol," but it's not.

This post is about the type of smoke, sulfurous smoke, that comes from the pit of Hell and burning brimstone.

The type of smoke Pope Pius XII reportedly mentioned when his Jesuit advisers, in the late 1940s, were trying to convince him that Opus Dei was heretical and that it's now sainted founder Josemarie Escriva should  be silenced. Pius XII reportedly shouted to the Jesuits "I smell sulfur" as he rejected their specious arguments and ordered them out of his office.

This post is about our old friend Bishop Robinson of the Protestant Episcopal Church of North America. While driving to a meeting in Sacramento yesterday, I caught an interview with Bishop Robinson on National Public Radio's show - "All Things Considered" about his upcoming inaugural prayer. You can listen to the five minute interview at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99311912

The NPR reporter asked "Bishop" Robinson if he "found inspiration in previous inaugural prayers?"

He responded:

"What I've actually found is caution. I've read back over earlier inaugural prayers over the last 30 or 40 years and I've been shocked at how aggressively Christian they are. I intend not to invoke the Name of Jesus.....rather than insert that and exclude them (non-Christians) from the prayer. I want this to be a prayer to the god of many understandings."

"Let's face it each one of us has a different understanding of G*d. No one of us can fully understand G*d or G*d would not be G*d."

The obviously surprised reporter then quipped:

I'm not sure that the god of many understandings has ever been invoked in an inaugural prayer before?"

Robinson closed by saying:

"well I'm first in many categories."

We should all pray for our Anglican brethren.

Comments

[Atlanta Catholic]

Bishop Gene Robinson foolishly responds, "Well, I'm first in many categories?" No, you are not "Bishop" Gene Robinson. There is nothing new under the sun. There have been many Judases who have also betrayed Christ for less than 30 pieces of silver.

[Warren]

"First in many categories."

Hmm, let's see... Robinson is "first":
1). to be nominated for the "(gay) Pride Precedeth a Fall Award", 2009.
2). in line for a fire and brimstone shower.
3). on the devil's "Thanks for Making My Day" list.
4). and foremost a heretic.
5). in his own mind.

[T. Shaw]

Hell, no. He/she's worst in many categories.

If it were not for the wonderful airmen, marines, sailors and soldiers fighting for us in Afghanistan and Iraq, I would be no longer proud of this country beginning 1/20.

We shall prevail despite all the Obamahama-worshipping imbeciles.

[Jeffrey]

Speaking as an active duty enlistee, there is more to be proud of in this country than those in the military. Yes, many are heroes, but there are many MORE unsung heroes doing the right thing, day in day out, and not getting credit for it. Good priests. Good nuns. Good teachers. Good pro-lifers. Good parents. Etc.
Thanks for the support...but let's keep it in perspective too. Our battle against the spirits of darkness is more important than those abroad. Our battles abroad will ring hollow if abortion continues.

[Atlanta Catholic]

Warren,

That's a darn accurate list! I guess you could also call it, the desired consequence guide for the "Whose Who" of historical and prominent failures.

[James Rich]

Mean Gene put his own interests and ambitions over his faith's well-being. It takes a crazy sort of ego and self-righteousness to convince yourself that being the cause of a world-wide schism that still hasn't completely played out was in your religion's best interest. Nice bit of sophistry; it must help him sleep at night.

And that's how it is over and over: people of his ilk destroying things in the smug sanctimoniousness that what is so apparently disastrous is actually in the "best interest" of people. He's not selfish, he's heroic; he's not destroying, he's breaking new ground.

See you at Mass in the coming years, Anglicans.

[Simple soul]

Whited sepulchres?

[adrock]

Jeffrey,

Thanks for your insight on the true heroes of this world. I agree with you. I think the best heroes are parents who teach their children to be good human beings, to love and serve one another, and most of all to love God. Your contribution as a volunteer soldier makes you a hero in my book. Lastly, your comment on abortion is right on. All acts of justice, goodness, righteousness, and selflessness performed thorughout the world are not enough to counterbalance the evil of abortion, a savage holocaust for which we are all responsible.