Former Corvallis resident becomes first female leader of American Episcopal Church

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the diocese of Nevada was elected presiding bishop of the American Episcopal Church on the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women in the American church. She is the first female leader of the American Anglicans and the first woman elected to a position of this status amongst all the Anglican churches worldwide. Her election may shake things up a bit, considering the American Episcopalians have also elected the first openly gay bishop and several Anglican branches in more conservative countries don't recognize women bishops at all.

At the time of her election as bishop of Nevada, Ms. Schori was assistant rector at the local Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan and was the senior (bilingual) priest of the Spanish Episcopalian church here in Corvallis. She also served as dean of the Good Samaritan School of Theology and visiting professor of religious studies and oceanography at Oregon State University.

Her ties to Corvallis are extensive, dating back to her studies at Oregon State University, where she received two advanced degrees in oceanography before she became ordained. I personally find it very cool that she managed to obtain a pilot's license, get married and become a mom, while delving into extensive studies in both oceanography and divinity.

What I don't find very cool is that the Corvallis Gazette-Times simply reprinted a wire story about Ms. Schori without once mentioning that she is a hometown girl. So from at least one of the locals, way to go Bishop!

Edit: At 11:50 p.m., an article by Carol Reeves of the GT about Ms. Schori's local ties was indeed posted on the newspaper's website, and will show up in print in the Monday edition of the paper. Looks I was a couple hours premature with my condemnation, so my apologies for jumping the gun.