Reader Responses to Brave Enough to Be It

I was moved to tears by this portrait of Bishop Clark for two reasons: For her own “success” and self fulfillment in reaching her calling, while overcoming a life littered by obstacles; and for my father’s undoubted influence in helping to open the door to her quest. The Most Reverend John Charles Bothwell (Bishop of Niagara 1973-1985 and Archbishop of Ontario, Anglican Church of Canada 1985-1991) was an early, ardent and persistent advocate for female ordination. An outlier amongst a great many of his peers, he pushed and persevered to help female priesthood become a reality. It is a great likelihood that he and Bishop Walker enjoyed fellowship and energized discussions at the worldwide Lambeth Conference of Bishops, in both 1978 and 1988, about how to go about advancing the cause of female representation in the sister Anglican and Episcopal churches. I salute Bishop Clark and wish her well in her journey ahead to spread justice and tolerance in both Chicago and the world at large.

People are leaving the Episcopal Church in droves thanks to its becoming an offshoot of the Democrat party. It cares about everything except the word of God. Its churches in New York City are empty and several have closed. 

Great article. Thank you. However, as an Episcopalian of almost 40 years, in Bishop Clark’s hometown of Washington DC and a frequent visitor and volunteer at the Cathedral (where Bp Clark was Canon), there are two important clarifications. Bp-elect Clark’s consecration has been postponed past August 28, let us continue to pray for her recovery; and in the U.S., Episcopal bishops are addressed as “The Rt. Rev.” “Excellency” is a title for Catholic bishops, and obviously “Her Excellency” is not used.

[Ed. Note: BAM apologies for the mistake in Clark’s title.]

Where on earth did the Sept./Oct. ’21 issue get the style “Her Excellency” for bishop-elect Paula Clark? And why was the error not discovered and corrected before being used on the cover and printed? I’m guessing that an assumption was made that the styles for Roman Catholic bishops are used for Episcopal bishops as well, but just a little effort would have clarified that: a. Paula Clark is not yet the Bishop of Chicago (and her health situation looks like she never will be) and b. Even if she is consecrated a bishop, “Her Excellency” would be incorrect. I promise that she would laugh if addressed as “Your Excellency.”

[Ed. Note: BAM apologies for the mistake in Clark’s title.]

I just finished reading the article about Paula Clark ’84. Wow! I found Bishop Clark’s life story to be inspiring, awesome, and heartwarming. Her rise to the first Black and first female Episcopal Bishop is wonderful to behold. Praise to Bishop Clark. I hope and pray that she fully recovers from her April brain bleed and is able to be consecrated soon.

I applaud the elevation of Paula Clark ’84 as the first Black female Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (being an Episcopalian myself). At the conclusion of the article she states that she “carries with her that righteous anger of June 1, 2020, when armed troops let loose their fury on a crowd of peaceful protesters outside her church (St. John’s in Washington, D.C.)—the nation’s church” during the BLM protests following George Floyd’s death. It appears that Bishop Clark’s definition of “peaceful protests” includes the throwing of a fire igniter through a window in the church’s basement, along with graffiti written on the walls?

Many thanks to Amy Worden for her inspiring article about Bishop Paula Clark ’84 of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (“Brave Enough to Be It,” Sept-Oct ’21). Like Bishop Paula, I experienced formation of my own Episcopal faith while at Brown through my degree work in religious studies, my involvement with St. Stephen’s Church in the middle of campus on George Street (conveniently across the street from the “Ratty”), and receiving wise counsel from Brown chaplains Charlie Baldwin and David Ames. Knowing that Bishop Paula will be diocesan bishop of Chicago is definitely excellent, but I’m not sure the form of address used is equally so. In the Anglican Communion, diocesan bishops are known as “The Right Reverend” and addressed as “Bishop.” Though some Roman Catholic bishops may have the additional honorific of “Excellency,” that is not common practice for Episcopalian bishops. May Bishop Paula continue to bear light in her diocese, “to see it and to be it” for many years.

[Ed. Note: BAM apologies for the mistake in Clark’s title, and has an update: After the magazine went to press, Clark announced that her consecration was being pushed back once more due to her recovery from brain injuries. A new date had yet to be set by press time.]