Nice to see what the new presiding bishopess of the Episcopal Church, USA (USA! USA!) thinks about us low-brow Catholics. (From the New York Times Magazine via Rod’s blog.]
How many members of the Episcopal Church are there in this country?
About 2.2 million. It used to be larger percentagewise, but Episcopalians tend to be better-educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children.
Episcopalians aren’t interested in replenishing their ranks by having children?
No. It’s probably the opposite. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion.
I hate to admit this now, but did anyone else see Monty Python’s “Meaning of Life”? (Yes, yes, I know, terrible movie ... hilarious, but very, very bad and you should never see it if you have had the misfortune not to see it before my warning of its sinfulness.) It reminds me of the scene where the prudish, stuck-up and obviously childless Anglican couple deride the rough, uncouth Catholic peasants surrounded by children for their refusal to use contraception.
Apparently Bishopess Kathleen Jefferts Schori believes Episcopalians are too smart and responsible to have kids. I wonder how their 1.2 children feel about that? Maybe Catholics just love their children more than the bishopess’s crowd does.
Technorati Tags:Catholic, children, Episcopalian, parenthood
I’m sure we can guess her position on Gay marriage also.
Wouldn’t it have been more true to say: Espicopalian’s tend to be more selfish and frigid than some other denominations!
No wonder we don’t see anyone beating down the doors to enter the ECUSA!
Like the Bishopess was? Do you not recognize satire when you see it?
I guess you guys really hate the Presiding Bishop. My experience as an Episcopalian is that you don’t have to have children (some of us are not so blessed) in order to be treated as an equal with those who do. Also the Episcopal church allows a person to think for herself or himself and to express that view without being insulted for it. If you compare the statistics with other U.S. denominations, Episcopalians have fewer children and more members with college/advanced degrees (i.e. better educated.) It’s just a fact. It doesn’t make us better or worse Christians.
Don’t assume anything we don’t say specifically. I don’t hate her. I pity her and think she’s pretty clueless. I love the “think for yourself” comment.
See, Catholics don’tthink for themselves. No, we wait for the weekly telegram from the Pope. I hope the next one tells me what color shirts I can wear with my suits.
Can you not see how such condescending pap might be resented?
I respect your view. Katharine (you list her as Kathleen above) holds the position of highest honor in my church, Presiding Bishop (not bishopess). Even when I disagree with the Pope, I hold him in high regard.