wfn.org | Bishop Persell of Chicago participates in ordination of Lutheran clergy

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2001-165

Bishop Persell of Chicago participates in ordination of Lutheran clergy

by David Skidmore
dskidmore@epischicago.org

     (ENS) The first participation by an Episcopal bishop in an ordination in the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took place fittingly in the former 
diocese of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and the backyard of ELCA Presiding Bishop 
George Anderson, whose office is in Chicago.

     Bishop William Persell of the Diocese of Chicago joined his Lutheran counterpart, 
Bishop Kenneth Olsen, in laying hands on three candidates for ordained ministry at the 
June 1 annual assembly of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, held in St. Charles. Though 
the Episcopal-Lutheran full communion agreement, Called to Common Mission, does not 
mandate the presence of an Episcopal bishop at ELCA ordinations of pastors, the pact's 
joint steering committee recommends it as a good faith measure.

     Persell, who also presided at the ordination Eucharist, described the event as 
another sign of a commitment of the diocese and synod to "living out of our new 
relationship." He said that it was exciting to share in the ordination, "and to realize 
that we are coming together in a very significant way."

     Proving that is not a one-way agreement, Bishop Olsen reciprocated two weeks later 
by participating at the diocese's Ember Day ordinations at St. James Cathedral, 
Chicago.

     While some aspects of the Lutheran liturgy were familiar, Persell saw his role  as 
a learning opportunity. The direct ordinations of Seth Moland-Kovash, Kathryn North, 
and Karen O'Malia were unique, he noted, since the Episcopal Church requires candidates 
for priesthood first to be ordained deacons and serve in that office for at least six 
months before being considered for ordination to the priesthood. 

     Persell found some merit in the Lutheran approach to ministry. "In some ways that 
makes sense. We should at least look at moving in that direction," he said.

     The ELCA has historically maintained a single ordained ministry but it recognizes 
diaconal ministry, and trains and commissions persons for that ministry. With the 
inauguration of full communion, it will now alter its installation rite for bishops to 
include participation and the laying on of hands by other bishops in the historic 
episcopate. But the agreement does not require the ELCA to ordain deacons.

     It was Persell's second opportunity to preside at a Eucharist in a Lutheran 

setting. The first was  the joint celebration of full communion by the Diocese of 
Chicago and the two northern Illinois ELCA synods at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in 
Naperville March 31. Joining him at that service were Olsen and Bishop Gary Wollersheim 
of the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA based in Rockford. All three bishops are 
committed to pursuing closer cooperation on congregational development and peace and 
justice advocacy. 

--David Skidmore is Director of Communications for the Diocese of Chicago.