New questions over 'Buddhist' bishop

Sunday, 15th March 2009
By George Conger

Questions of propriety and legality are being raised in the US Episcopal Church in the wake of the Feb 21 election of the Rev Kevin Thew Forrester as Bishop of Northern Michigan. While initial concerns centered round Dr Forrester’s claims to be a practitioner of Zen Buddhism and Christianity, subsequent questions have been raised over his role in the closed electoral process where he was the sole candidate.

In the Episcopal Church, diocesan bishops are elected either by the diocesan convention, or through an election organized by the House of Bishops or Province. While Canon III.11.1 permits each diocese to order its election according to local rules, it does require a “process of election.” Critics charge that in Northern Michigan no valid election took place as delegates to the special convention were asked to affirm the selection of Dr. Forrester by the Episcopal Ministry Discernment Team (EMDT) — led by Dr Forrester, and no other candidates were permitted to stand for election. the rest