New Southern Ohio Episcopal bishop’s vow one of unity, justice
In a lavish ceremony intertwining centuries-old rituals with contemporary messages, a man who pledged compassion to all became Ohio’s newest leader in the Episcopal faith yesterday.
The Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal was consecrated as the ninth bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio at the Ohio State University campus.
About 2,000 people from throughout the state welcomed their new bishop at Mershon Auditorium. The diocese includes 25,000 members in 40 counties of central and southern Ohio.
“It’s something that just pulls the whole diocese together,” said Molly Bailey, who traveled from Cincinnati for the consecration. “It’s not like this happens on a regular basis.”
Breidenthal succeeds Bishop Herbert Thompson Jr., who retired in December 2005 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 72. He died in August.
(via “christian-anglican” via wyclif.net in Google Reader)
