The Archdeacon Returns - Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: A New Vision

The period of mourning did not last long.  The Archbishop wasted no time in calling an episcopal election, which was to be held two months hence.  The speed with which the Archbishop moved seemed to encourage the Diocese to move on quickly after the death of their long-time bishop.  The Rev. Rebecca Hope, whose supporters had already been working away on her behalf for several months was formally nominated at the earliest possible date and her agents were afoot drumming up support.

The Rev. Rebecca Hope, it will be remembered was something of an iconoclast, both with respect to the ethos of the Church, as well as its institution.  She had gutted the chancel of St. Anskar’s, removed its beloved rood screen and stained glass windows (which were in memory of the Diocesan Chancellor’s grandmother), and introduced a decidedly non-Anglican form of worship, all without the late Bishop’s permission.  She cared little for rules and even less for the canons.  She was all about “building the Kingdom”.  Whether this was God’s kingdom or her kingdom, I will not venture to say.

She had a charismatic personality and naturally attracted devoted followers.  Even those who were skeptical of her methods at first often came around and were surprisingly seduced by her charisma and impressed by her success in building her parish up, feeding the poor, and filling the church coffers.  One might not have guessed that she would have been able to garner enough support to mount a successful episcopal campaign, yet the times being what they were, she seized on the Diocese’s “downsizing fatigue” and spoke about a hopeful, missional future. She readily shared her vision with everyone she encountered of a new Church rising from the ashes. And her vision was readily received.  Who would not like to cut through the obstructionist diocesan red-tape that prevents us from doing so much new and innovative and exciting as a church? Who could not feel hopeful when she spoke about the transformative power of the Gospel and about how this was the moment in which God was making all things new?  

When she spoke, people listened. Even some of her detractors who were done with diocesan austerity. There was something in the air. The clergy and people of the Diocese were tired of retrenchment. And yes, perhaps there was too much red tape and too much obstructionism. Perhaps the Church was too mired in the past and held hostage to outdated customs.  It was surprising how many in the Diocese seemed to think so, and her vision spoke to them. It was soon very clear that she had a good chance of becoming the next bishop.

* * * 

Maddie and Young Tony had met clandestinely to launch the Archdeacon’s bid for episcopal office, unbeknownst to him, of course. They, and a good many others, it should be stated, were determined that Rebecca Hope should never become the next bishop. Maddie had taken the matter in hand, at the behest of several more senior members of the clergy who understood that it would be better to deal with the devil they knew rather than Rebecca Hope.  These unarmed senior priests knew that Maddie would be the only person who would be able to bring that candidate on board.  Being a young priest, and not yet soured by the ecclesiastical political game, she was keen to play her part in shaping the future of the Diocese.  

Now Young Tony, unlike Maddie, was not a member of Synod, and as such could not nominate the Archdeacon. He was a member of Diocesan Staff he should have remained strictly neutral, but he certainly did not want to end up working for Rebecca Hope.  Maddie conscripted him, as probably the Archdeacon’s closest friend, as an ally in convincing the venerable man to accept the nomination.  He would be her prime co-conspirator in the mission. 

It will be remembered that she had already broached the idea with the Archdeacon of letting his name stand and he had not received it favourably.  In fact, he had admonished her even suggesting it, but she still had the require ten names at hand. 

“Are all the nominators still on board?” Asked Young Tony.

“Oh yes,” she said. “He thinks he doesn’t have any friends left in the Church, but he wrong about that. He’s still a pretty well-loved guy, in spite of the work he did for Bishop Verity.”

“So will you approach him again?”

“No. I don’t think that’s the way to do it. First he’ll fog me, and then try to tell me off.  I think we should just send the list of names to the Secretary of Synod, and she can call him and tell him he’s been nominated.  When he comes to you to let you know about his existential crisis as to whether or not he should accept, you will encourage him to get over himself, respect the faith his nominators have put in him, and let the people and the Holy Ghost do the rest.”

“He’ll be pissed.”

“Yep. For five minutes. But he’ll say ‘yes’.  I guarantee it.  If he is nominated formally, he will let the process play out.”

Now, this many sound all very underhanded, but she was strictly following the rules of the game.  The canons stated that a candidate can be placed on the ballot with ten names of members of Synod (five clerical, five lay). It was customary to approach a candidate before nominating them, but not required.  She knew her boss, and she knew which approach to use. Young Tony agreed and they put their plan into motion. 

What I have not explained to this point, however, is how a candidate is expected to conduct themselves as a potential candidate for episcopal office. The whole process is intended to have an air of detachment to it. The candidate must never campaign for him or herself, at least not overtly.  They are simply to let their names stand and let the work of discernment proceed. Yes, they are asked to prepare a biographical document and provide written answers to a few prepared questions so that electors may have a fair sense of the candidate, but they are not to stump or give speeches or ask for anyone’s support. This is all left to the nominators, who work feverishly, at arms length from their candidate, behind the scenes and with great discretion. This was the work to which Maddie and Young Tony were about to apply themselves.

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