Leaders Reject Appointment of Episcopal-Buddhist Bishop
by Danny Fisher
I’ve posted a bit recently about Episcopal priest and Zen practitioner Kevin Thew Forrester’s possible ordination as a bishop, and the controversy surrounding his selection. The Associated Press reports this morning that leaders of the Episcopal Church have rejected his appointment.
- The Diocese of Northern Michigan’s election of the Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester was declared “null and void” yesterday. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says he failed to receive the necessary consent from a majority of Episcopal bishops and diocesan committees.
Thew Forrester also has been criticized for blending elements of Christianity and Buddhism. In a 2004 diocesan newsletter, Thew Forrester said he had “received Buddhist ‘lay ordination.”‘
Bloggers also have criticized Thew Forrester for calling a reading from the Quran “the word of God.”
[...]
[He also] denies that Satan exists, doesn’t believe God sent Jesus Christ to die for the world’s sins, and teaches that many paths lead to salvation.
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It seems to me there is a big difference between learning from other traditons and "taking on" that tradition in addition to your own religious tradition. The Dali Lama speaks about not trying "to put a yak's head on a sheep's body." Also, it seems unfortunate that he apparetnly did not explore more fully his own Christian mystical tradion.
Dialoguing with, learning from, and even integrating certain elements of another religious tradition is a natural part of interfaith engagement that occurs often.
However, I'm also skeptical of the rather recent phenomenon of multiple religious belonging. It seems that in order to proceed further on one's spiritual path, it would be more expedient and existentially profound to explore the heights and depths of one particular tradition. Picking and choosing parts of a variety of traditions (like a la carte religion) seems to be only scratching the surface of spiritual potential.
I agree with anonymous, if this bishop hasn't explored the rich mystical and contemplative elements in the Christian tradition, it would likely resonate with his sensibilities.
Peace.
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