The Presiding Bishop

I looked at the back of this card the other day, since it was a February item, and I discovered it’s been five years since I saw the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori in person. Just another tempus fugit moment.

The back of the card says: Commemorating the visit of the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, to St. Nichols Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, February 3, 2008.

On an ordinary Sunday in the dead of winter, it’s hard to get out of the house, but how often do you get to see a presiding bishop? Not often, I figured. Lilly and I went.

She’s still in office, which has a curious nine-year term, though there’s probably an arcane reason for it. I’ve always thought the title didn’t have much zing to it, not like those some other Anglican primates get. Just to the north, for example, is the “Primate of Canada,” which used to be “Primate of All Canada,” which is cooler still. Even “Prime Bishop” would be better.