This Smells Funny...

Anybody else find this story a little bit over-anxious or odd in some other way? 

We're quite familiar with Bishop Mathes' pattern of prematurity and over-enthusiasm when it comes to press releases flattering to him, and one is wise to take anything reported on Episcopal Life Online with a grain of salt, but then again, maybe this is the real deal.

Apparently, Bishop MacBurney and his detractors have struck some kind of deal.  Great if so, but I'll gathering a few more facts before I claim to understand exactly what has transpired here.

You will remember that Bishop Mathes and Katherine Jefferts Schori initially inhibited Bishop MacBurney this past March while Bishop MacBurney's son Page lay dying (then, checking her poll numbers, Bishop Schori finally threw him a bone).  There was anything but compassion then.  You'll understand if I'm skeptical now.

Reconciliation is a good, Christian thing, no doubt about it.  I sincerely hope they worked out a deal that would avoid the kind of kangaroo court they had planned for later this Fall (in San Diego, of all places).

Anyway, read the whole thing, being sure not to miss the money quote from the humble bishop of every single church in San Diego, Episcopal or otherwise.

"Bishop MacBurney's decision is the result of my efforts and those of others to find a non-judicial outcome to an unfortunate event," Mathes said September 10 in his weekly email to diocesan clergy. "Today, the order of our church and the collegiality of the House of Bishops have been enhanced."

The process "held a bishop of the church accountable to his colleagues and this was a good thing," Mathes told ENS.

"I grateful to Bishop MacBurney for his role in this," Mathes said, explaining that MacBurney's willingness to apologize for his actions "provided us a way to provide forgiveness."

Anybody got anything else on this?    Stay tuned.