wfn.org | Episcopal Bishop Says Churches Need More Dialog about Bishops

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99067 
23-June-1999 
 
               Episcopal Bishop Says Churches Need 
                    More Dialog about Bishops 
 
FORT WORTH- An Episcopal bishop told those gathered for the Ecumenical 
Breakfast Wednesday at the 211th General Assembly that the Episcopalians 
and the Presbyterians need to dialog together to further the cause of 
Churches Uniting in Christ. 
     Edmond F. (Ted) Gulick, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Kentucky, 
suggested each denomination study the matter of bishops from the other's 
point of view to further understanding. Having bishops was a sticking point 
between Presbyterians and Episcopalians in attempting to establish stronger 
bonds among nine denominations in COCU (Consultation on Church Union) a few 
years ago.  Churches Uniting in Christ evolved from COCU. 
     Referring to Episcopalian bishops as "your problematic partners in the 
Churches Uniting in Christ," Gulick said, "we misstate reality when the 
Episcopal church is seen as one with a personified episcopate while 
Presbyterians are seen as a church with a corporate episcopate."  He said 
Episcopalians act corporately in many ways.  Later, in the question and 
answer period, he said that presbytery executives carry out many of the 
same functions as Episcopal bishops. 
     Each year at the Assembly the Ecumenical Breakfast draws together a 
diverse group of Presbyterians and their ecumenical partners under the 
leadership of the Rev. Eugene G. Turner, Associate Stated Clerk and 
director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  Department of Governing Body, 
Ecumenical and Agency Relations. 
 
Bill Lancaster 

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