Saturday, September 15, 2007

Big challenges ahead for new boss of Episcopal diocese

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/faithvalues/2003885340_bishop15m.html

[The Seattle Times] 15 Sep 2007--More than 2,000 people, including a procession of 200 local clergy, are expected at Meydenbauer Center to attend the ordination and consecration of the Rev. Gregory Rickel as the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia.

He faces declining membership numbers, a region that is known for being "unchurched," and some ongoing debates over biblical interpretation on issues such as homosexuality that have led to two congregations pulling out of the diocese.

Rickel says he is comfortable continuing Bishop Warner's stance of letting individual priests decide whether to perform blessing ceremonies for same-sex unions.

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