Browning Holds Press Conference
Episcopal News Service. January 16, 1986 [86006]
WASHINGTON (DPS, Jan. 16) -- Following his installation here Jan. 11, the Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, met with the press at the College of Preachers, next door to the Washington Cathedral, site of the installation.
Browning, who was joined by his wife and children for the press conference, answered questions ranging from why the archbishop of Canterbury was not present (it was too close in time to his last visit to the States during General Convention in September) to what were the names the leis he was wearing (one, of leaves, was a maile lei, used for celebrations; the other had a Hawaiian name but, "We call them cigar leis.")
The conference began with Browning introducing his wife, Patti, and children Mark, Paige, Philip, Peter, John and Philip's wife, Lisa. Questioners, however, addressed themselves exclusively to the Presiding Bishop.
When asked about being labeled a "liberal" and his reported dislike of the label, Browning responded that he didn't like labels "because I don't believe that they express one's total ministry." In response to a related question on issues of homosexuality and the situation in South Africa, Browning described the issues as "complex" and added that his concern was for the well being of all people, for wholeness for those in all walks of life.
As he has since his election, throughout the press conference, Browning stressed his desire to listen to all those in the Church. He stated that he hoped at the very outset to begin to sit down with and talk to various people about the different issues and begin to set up meetings for dialogue -- this in response to a question regarding those disturbed by the ordination of women and the use of the 1979 Prayer Book.
As to the General Convention resolution supporting women as bishops, Browning called it a matter for consultation and said he had asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to put the subject on the agenda for the Primates meeting in Toronto in March, although he added that he didn't see it ending there, and that he saw continuing consultation as being part of his responsibility.
Another theme stressed by the Presiding Bishop during the press conference was the need for the Episcopal Church to become more involved in advocacy for the needs of the poor and the hungry, both as the Episcopal Church and ecumenically, and that the ministry to persons with those needs should strengthen and grow.
He also stated that resolutions don't always carry the day, and he believes that "sitting down with people in positions of power and influence and seeking to work with them is important" -- that it is important for both sides to get to know one another.
Asked about his vision of the Episcopal Church, Browning said that he is very serious about wanting to "find a common sense of the mission that is ours." As in his sermon, he stated that compassion and servanthood ministry are the basis for his leadership. Declining to compare himself to former Presiding Bishop John E. Hines, for whom he did express admiration, he also said that his immediate predecessor, Presiding Bishop John M. Allin, had "done a superb job," adding that Allin brought to the Church the understanding that mission takes many different paths.
Browning expressed the desire to affirm the diversity within the Episcopal Church and said, "This is becoming less of a white church and more of a multicultural church." Saying that he wanted to do everything he could to foster the emergence of the multicultural church, and that the Church should be intentional about that, he also stressed unity and its importance. He added that his time overseas had given him an understanding of the nature of the Church, the role of the laity and of ordained ministry, and that "the message of Christ transcends all boundaries."
During the course of the press conference, Browning also declared the need for evangelism, for "Sharing the Gospel in a way that will make a difference in people's lives," and stated his intention to be supportive of women and their ministry, "not just with lip service," adding "one of the greatest things to happen to this Church was the ordination of women because of the resources it brought."
The final question of the press conference asked Browning to reflect on the changes in his life and that of his family since his election. He described his family as "tremendous... I couldn't have been more blessed... I am grateful to them." He said, "I've had a lot of moments of sheer terror. They have increased. But in a real way, people have said all my life, 'You are in my prayers,' but I never thought more about the meaning of that than in the last months."