On the other hand, there's something about Steenson that in fact makes him the very model of a modern Episcopal bishop: abrogating his vows and resigning in this way become a form of in-your-face autarchic apostasy worthy of a James Pike. In contrast, Schofield, Duncan, Iker, and Lawrence, shepherds arguably ushering their flocks to safer pastures, are only namby-pamby. Perhaps this excited Jefferts Schori's admiration, rather than her contempt -- there's something essentially narcissistic about Steenson's move, since in the end, it's all about him.
Let's look at that peculiarly sheepish letter to the clergy at the Diocese of the Rio Grande, which I linked just above. You would only have to change a few words here and there to turn it into an announcement that Steenson is leaving his wife to marry his longtime gay partner!
This is a very difficult letter to write as your bishop and colleague in the ordained ministry, and I hope that you will receive it in the prayerful spirit in which it is offered.Let's just insert a sentence that reads something like, "Some of you are aware of the ongoing, caring, mutually rewarding, and loving relationship I've had with my longtime gay partner, Herb Throckmorton, who is a devout Wiccan. I have decided to divorce my wife and marry Herb in the Wiccan faith." Then we can continue with the rest of the letter, pretty much word for word as written:
An effective leader cannot be so conflicted about the guiding principles of the Church he serves. It concerns me that this has affected my ability to lead this diocese with a clear and hopeful vision for its mission. I also have sensed how important it is for those of us in this position to model a gracious way to leave the Episcopal Church in a manner respectful of its laws.We might add a sentence after the praise and gratitude toward the Presiding Bishop that would read something like, "My wife and three grown children have also been most supportive of Herb and me in this difficult transition time," and so forth. But otherwise, I hate to say it, the two letters from my point of view would be precisely the same -- the total focus on Steenson and his wishes to the exclusion of the flock for which he was responsible, the sheepish tone, the touchy-feely pseudo-sensitivity. Indeed, there's the typical salve to a guilty conscience: he's not betraying anyone; he's doing them all a big favor by modeling a gracious way to leave the Episcopal Church!
Steenson is unwittingly betraying a very contemporary sensibility, cloaked not very convincingly in Catholic piety. He's out for number one, period.
