I have the dubious distinction of being cousins with the director of Opus Dei, in Canada. That is, I think Monsignor Frederick Dolan is still the big cheese of that creepy organization. I haven't checked his videos on YouTube since before Covid.
This morning I met, and shared the Peace with, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator* of the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
*Some years ago, it became the norm for newly-elected moderators of the General Assembly to appoint vice-moderators. Then in 2016, we saw a move to two people being nominated jointly as “co-moderators,” and that’s the model we’ve had since.
Starting at the next General Assembly (2026), two persons, simply called “moderators,” will be elected, and it will be left to those two to choose how they want their relationship to work, whether as co-moderators, moderator and vice-moderator, or some other model. Also starting at the next General Assembly, the moderators will be elected at the end of the General Assembly—to serve as the Assembly’s ambassadors for the following two years and then to moderate the following Assembly—rather than at the beginning of the Assembly.
Did I mention Archbishop Angaelos of London, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church? - although he was only the "General Bishop" (but still head of the Church in Britain) at the time.
I once had an audience with the Coptic Pope, in a monastery in the Egyptian desert. It was not a solo audience (!) but there were only 12 of us plus his holiness present.
I once had an audience with the Coptic Pope, in a monastery in the Egyptian desert. It was not a solo audience (!) but there were only 12 of us plus his holiness present.
I once had an audience with the Coptic Pope, in a monastery in the Egyptian desert. It was not a solo audience (!) but there were only 12 of us plus his holiness present.
I once had an audience with the Coptic Pope, in a monastery in the Egyptian desert. It was not a solo audience (!) but there were only 12 of us plus his holiness present.
I once had an audience with the Coptic Pope, in a monastery in the Egyptian desert. It was not a solo audience (!) but there were only 12 of us plus his holiness present.
Which monastery?
It was when I was studying theology at a US seminary. Study tour to the Middle East was a course for credit - and the expenses were paid! But that was so long ago that I don’t remember the name of the monastery. One interesting thing was that Pope Shehoudi (I think that was the name) was very erudite and happy to exchange theological opinions with us that day. Later that week we attended a huge Coptic meeting in the basement of the then-under-construction cathedral in Cairo, where the Pope addressed the faithful and then took questions from the floor. With his own people he used quite a different approach - very down to earth and directive. He was much more black and white in his approach. They were told to do this and not that.
Not me but my youngest son who, as a 22 year old History teacher, was leading a school trip to Auschwitz. When I asked about the flight he replied that it was unexpectedly interesting as he was sitting with 'two old men who really knew their stuff'. One apparently had 'crazy eyebrows' and the other had a beard. That's all he knew. They later proved to be Rowan Williams and Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
I have been in the presence of many bishops, a few archbishops, and a pope (well sort of - he was being driven through the square when we were in the queue to get in).
That don't impress me much.
I have been in the presence of occasional speakers who have actually said deep things that have moved me, challenged me and made me think. Elaine Storkey for one. Caroline Lucas for another.
Well, if we are bringing public speakers into it I can definitely claim to have met Elaine Storkey - she used to provide Wednesday child care for both my sons and we have every Christmas dinner with her and many other meals too. I have heard her speak hundreds of time.
Well, if we are bringing public speakers into it I can definitely claim to have met Elaine Storkey - she used to provide Wednesday child care for both my sons and we have every Christmas dinner with her and many other meals too. I have heard her speak hundreds of time.
She is my mother-in-law.
Amazing! Caleb Storkey once stayed at my house, probably 20 plus years ago
Well, if we are bringing public speakers into it I can definitely claim to have met Elaine Storkey - she used to provide Wednesday child care for both my sons and we have every Christmas dinner with her and many other meals too. I have heard her speak hundreds of time.
I haven't been paying much attention to this thread, but I now remember that when I was an usher at Rockefeller Chapel (University of Chicago), I once met Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox church.
David Coffey, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance at the time, conducted worship at my church. He then had lunch with my wife and I at home.
The most senior cleric I met was the Catholic Abp of Sydney. I was giving advice in relation a Catholic charitable organisation and had a couple of conferences to enable me to obtain decent instructions. The Abp was concerned about what was going on and attended the conferences. Not a word was mentioned that I was an Anglican, but getting advice from. non-Catholic was probably a plus.
When I was in the Holy Land in 2017, our pilgrimage group was able to meet Archbishop Suheil Dawani of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (who was also serving as President Bishop of the Province of the Middle East).
Well, if we are bringing public speakers into it I can definitely claim to have met Elaine Storkey - she used to provide Wednesday child care for both my sons and we have every Christmas dinner with her and many other meals too. I have heard her speak hundreds of time.
She is my mother-in-law.
Where's the NotWorthy Emoticon when you need it?
I've met and chatted to Don Carson.. how does that sit in the list?
Oh and I've chatted to St Adrian of Plass a couple of times...
Comments
Fortunately “The Work” as the Oppies like to be known are largely avoided in this corner of the Antipodes…
*Some years ago, it became the norm for newly-elected moderators of the General Assembly to appoint vice-moderators. Then in 2016, we saw a move to two people being nominated jointly as “co-moderators,” and that’s the model we’ve had since.
Starting at the next General Assembly (2026), two persons, simply called “moderators,” will be elected, and it will be left to those two to choose how they want their relationship to work, whether as co-moderators, moderator and vice-moderator, or some other model. Also starting at the next General Assembly, the moderators will be elected at the end of the General Assembly—to serve as the Assembly’s ambassadors for the following two years and then to moderate the following Assembly—rather than at the beginning of the Assembly.
How did you manage to swing THAT invitation?
Which monastery?
It was when I was studying theology at a US seminary. Study tour to the Middle East was a course for credit - and the expenses were paid! But that was so long ago that I don’t remember the name of the monastery. One interesting thing was that Pope Shehoudi (I think that was the name) was very erudite and happy to exchange theological opinions with us that day. Later that week we attended a huge Coptic meeting in the basement of the then-under-construction cathedral in Cairo, where the Pope addressed the faithful and then took questions from the floor. With his own people he used quite a different approach - very down to earth and directive. He was much more black and white in his approach. They were told to do this and not that.
A sprinting Bishop once brushed past me heading either towards Broadcasting House or All Souls Langham Place.
Sat next to Bruce Kent in the National Theatre, albeit he was no longer a Monsignor.
That don't impress me much.
I have been in the presence of occasional speakers who have actually said deep things that have moved me, challenged me and made me think. Elaine Storkey for one. Caroline Lucas for another.
She is my mother-in-law.
Amazing! Caleb Storkey once stayed at my house, probably 20 plus years ago
Appropriately Impressed.
I've met a few Bishops and often asked them if they can only move diagonally... (sadly not all of them laugh).
However, a consultant colleague of mine who now identifies as atheist, happens to be Italian.
He was an altar boy as a child in his home town.
His home town is Rome.
He was an altar boy to the Bishop of Rome. I've seen the photos.
That probably counts for many as the highest rank one could meet. But I grew up in free churches so I have no instinctive connection here.
Where's the NotWorthy Emoticon when you need it?
I've met and chatted to Don Carson.. how does that sit in the list?
Oh and I've chatted to St Adrian of Plass a couple of times...
AFZ