Priest Claiming Conversion to Islam Given Pastoral Direction
07/05/2007

The priest who revealed in a diocesan newspaper interview last month that she had converted to Islam has received a pastoral direction from the Bishop of Rhode Island, where she is canonically resident.

The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding has not lived in Rhode Island for more than 20 years, according to the Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Bishop of Rhode Island. After ordination in 1983, Ms. Redding accepted a position as a consultant for communications at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City.

Her most recent Christian ministry assignment has been in the Diocese of Olympia, where she was director of faith formation for a number of years at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, until staff reductions in March. In the June issue of Episcopal Voice, the monthly newspaper for the Diocese of Olympia, Ms. Redding said she had made the Muslim profession of faith and that she saw no contradiction in remaining an Episcopal priest. the rest at TLC


A Communication from the Bishop of Rhode Island Concerning Ann Holmes Redding
Posted by Kendall Harmon

To: Clergy, Members of Diocesan Council and Standing Committee
From: The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf
Re: The Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding

As many of you know, The Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding is an Episcopal priest who has recently professed her faith in Islam. Dr. Redding is canonically resident in the Diocese of Rhode Island, though she has not served here for over twenty years.

After meeting with her I issued a Pastoral Direction giving her the opportunity to reflect on the doctrines of the Christian faith, her vocation as a priest, and what I see as the conflicts inherent in professing both Christianity and Islam. During the next year she is not to exercise any of the responsibilities and privileges of an Episcopal priest or deacon. Other aspects of the Pastoral Direction will remain private.

I am sending this e-mail to you because the continued web-site coverage suggests that I be as clear as possible with those exercising leadership in our diocese. TitusOneNine

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