Regarding the editorial, "There's a Time and Place" [TLC, Sept. 10], I would respectfully disagree with the criticism of Bishop Jane Dixon's wearing of clericals at the Democratic National Convention. Nor do I agree that she was "playing a prominent role" there. As the editorial correctly stated, the bishop and the vice president had been longtime friends. And as other close personal friends, including actor Tommy Lee Jones, they came to be with their friend Al Gore, and dress as they would normally do when in public at a relatively formal affair.

I would also respectfully remind TLC's editor that Jesuit priest Bob Drinan, when a member of Congress from Massachusetts, always wore the collar on the floor of the house. In fact, I seem to remember some particular civil rights ruling on the issue.

Both Fr. Drinan and Bishop Dixon are validly ordained clergy and have a civil as well as canonical right to wear the collar anywhere they want anytime. There was no need for Bishop Dixon to "downplay" either her right to wear the collar, episcopal ring and pectoral cross or her God-given, church-blessed ontology as a priest and bishop. In fact, to wear clericals in non-institutional situations has great witness potential, as I have experienced.

I am proud, and the Episcopal Church should be proud, that we have bishops of the caliber of Jane Holmes Dixon serving in our nation's capital, and that furthermore that they take seriously their diaconal ordination promise "to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world."

(The Rev.) John E. Crean, Jr.

Grand Rapids, Mich.