Episcopal Church
Controversial Episcopal seminary dean Katherine Hancock Ragsdale to step down
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — January 6, 2015
(RNS) Dean Katherine Hancock Ragsdale has been outspoken in her support of abortion rights, earning the title of "the high priestess of abortion" from critics.
General Theological Seminary resolves faculty dispute, but future is unclear
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 7, 2014
(RNS) Seminary leaders seek reconciliation with faculty who have been reinstated provisionally.
General Theological Seminary board to negotiate with terminated faculty
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 17, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) A collective statement from faculty said they will consider the board's offer. "For now, we need to spend some time individually and collectively in prayerful reflection on the Board’s decision so that we can determine the best way forward," the statement said.
Pope Francis lends friendly support to Anglican Church in North America
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 17, 2014
(RNS) An Anglican bishop of Argentina offered personal greetings from Pope Francis to the leader of breakaway Anglican churches.
Stanley Hauerwas drops out of General Theological Seminary lecture series after controversy
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 8, 2014
(RNS) The Christian ethicist said he does not want to be seen as taking sides in a conflict between the administration and its faculty.
The rise and fall of the American seminary (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — October 7, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Why is the Episcopal Church's flagship seminary faltering? For the same reason that historic churches and denominations are trapped in "train wrecks." Their time has passed.
Tensions at Episcopal Church’s oldest seminary reflect larger crisis in future of theology schools
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 30, 2014
(RNS) It's unclear whether eight faculty resigned or were effectively fired, and what the future holds for the Episcopal Church's flagship seminary.
Episcopal Church’s Katharine Jefferts Schori will not seek re-election
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 23, 2014
(RNS) Katharine Jefferts Schori’s time as presiding bishop has been lauded by theological liberals and bemoaned by conservatives.
Yale chaplain’s resignation reflects larger mainline tensions over Israel
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 16, 2014
(RNS) The Rev. Bruce Shipman, an Episcopal chaplain at Yale, resigned last week after he wrote a controversial New York Times letter.
Denominational restructuring won’t work; local churches must innovate (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — September 9, 2014
(RNS) Rather than "rearrange the deck chairs," denominational task forces could look boldly at what isn't working: Sunday worship, large facilities and an inward focus.
In her own words: Lauren Bacall talks about her Jewish identity
By Lauren Markoe — August 13, 2014
(RNS) The screen icon had a conflicted relationship with her Jewishness that characterized post-World War II Hollywood.
The ‘Philadelphia 11’ who shattered the stained-glass ceiling: 40 years later, where are they now?
By Heather Adams — July 23, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Forty years ago this week, 11 women broke rank and were ordained as the first female priests in the Episcopal Church. Find out here what became of the “Philadelphia Eleven.”
Vatican editor says England’s female bishops vote ‘complicates’ relations
By Josephine McKenna — July 15, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Giovanni Maria Vian said women bishops would have “an extremely negative impact” on steps to bring Anglicans and Catholics closer together despite a positive meeting between Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Pope Francis.
Church of England approves women bishops in historic vote
By Trevor Grundy — July 14, 2014
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The first woman bishop could be named by the end of the year with the appointment of at least three additional women sometime in 2015. In parts of Africa, it may take longer.
Breakaway Anglicans tap Atlanta bishop Foley Beach as new leader
By Kevin Eckstrom — June 24, 2014
(RNS) The Right Rev. Foley Beach was elected Saturday (June 21) to succeed Archbishop Robert Duncan as head of the Anglican Church in North America.
