I expect to offer several reflections on the recent election in the coming days.

But first in most Episcopalians’ minds must be the fact that our bishop coadjutor-elect was first rejected by the Nominating Committee. He was then nominated by petition; he led on the first ballot; and he won by a huge majority on only the third ballot. The official system failed; the people won.

And most of us present in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine also noticed that Canon Andrew Dietsche seemed to be the least concerned of the candidates with being a spokesperson for the church in the media and on the national and international stage. Rather, he would try to help struggling parishes to survive and flourish. Many of us share this priority and we should be grateful that the election results seem to endorse this emphasis on the parish. –J. Douglas Ousley

“We welcome any of those involved in the protest for pastoral care and reflection.” These words from the Rector of Trinity Church Broadway might have been expected. After all, Father Cooper could hardly have said, “We refuse to meet any protestors who seek pastoral care or reflection.”

On the other hand, Trinity Church has often made much of its links with Wall Street. And much of its historical fame has been based on its vast wealth derived from Wall Street landholdings and stocks. I wonder about its anodine “welcome” to protestors who–as far as anything they say is coherent–seem to be attacking the foundations on which Trinity stands. I also question whether the same welcome would be extended to a group of Tea Party activists. But that’s another story. –J. Douglas Ousley