James Ueberroth Chimes in on the Presiding Bishop and her recent South Carolina sermon

Posted by Kendall Harmon

From a letter to the editor in the local paper:
While not in The Post and Courier's coverage of the activities on Jan. 26, it has been reported in other sources that Katharine [Jefferts] Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, made several pronouncements in her sermon during Saturday's "convention" which I find to be highly inflammatory and quite offensive.
First, she has labeled my bishop, who was duly elected to the office and removed from same by a trumped-up ploy, a "tyrant." I have heard this man preach, watched recorded interviews with him and followed his actions. If I may be audacious and paraphrase Piiate's words - I find him to have done no wrong.
Second, as an Episcopalian who has spent his entire life in the faith - choirboy, acolyte, vestryman, member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and an elected delegate to a diocesan convention, I feel I am not only well-grounded in the faith, but have grown through the years in my faith which remains relevant in today's world. I am highly offended that because I do not view the world through her skewed vision, nor accept her warped goals for the future, I am to be labeled a member of the ovine species.
Following her nefarious actions of October 2012, I have moved on and have found a far greener and acceptable meadow for grazing and growing my spiritual well-being.

James Ueberroth, Charleston


Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori • TEC Bishops • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: South Carolina • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * South Carolina • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology

7 Comments
Posted February 6, 2013 at 3:20 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. SC blu cat lady wrote:

Well said, James. I am not sure if “I have moved on” means to another denomination or if you are still part of the Diocese of SC. Either way, you are not the only person who has objected to the PB’s characterization of +Mark Lawrence and others in leadership (which includes yourself as you mentioned). Thanks for writing this letter to the editor! As far as I am concerned +Mark Lawrence remains our bishop. Thanks be to God!

February 6, 4:44 pm | [comment link]
2. Archer_of_the_Forest wrote:

There was even some hand wringing over that sermon on Louis Crew’s HOB/D listserv. That surprised me, as many loons as there are on this list.

February 6, 5:52 pm | [comment link]
3. Nikolaus wrote:

Screwie Louie is still in business?  I stay away from that place - it scared the cr@p out of me!

February 6, 9:55 pm | [comment link]
4. Cennydd13 wrote:

Ah, yes, he’s still around.  However, I stopped reading his screwy, inane poetry long ago and tossed his trashy commentaries into the cesspool where they belong.  Unfortunately for him, his moniker fits him to a “T.”  Louie being Louie, he lives in a netherworld of his own making, and is not worth the undue attention which he craves.

February 7, 3:15 am | [comment link]
5. Cennydd13 wrote:

I share Mr Ueberroth’s feelings about +Mark Lawrence, whom I remember so well as a priest from Bakersfield, in our Diocese of San Joaquin (the ONLY one of that name).  KJS’s comments about him are so far off the mark as to be an insult to every faithful Christian of whatever denomination, and she needs to be called to account for her words.  Bishop Lawrence is not the kind of man who would sue her, but if I were in his place, believe me, I would not hesitate to sue her for slander.

February 7, 3:22 am | [comment link]
6. Katherine wrote:

An action for slander would be a large mistake, and I don’t think Bishop Lawrence or his advisors would make such a mistake.  As it is, her sermon, given in public and published on TEC’s website, will act against her in the lawsuits she no doubt plans to bring.  It speaks to character and intention.

February 7, 5:19 pm | [comment link]
7. Cennydd13 wrote:

As you and I have both said, Katherine, Bishop Lawrence wouldn’t do that.  KJS’ sermon is already backfiring on her, I believe, and the results certainly won’t do her of her “Church” any good.  Her character and her intentions speak for themselves very clearly.

February 7, 5:27 pm | [comment link]
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