Editorial: Stepping up to a new role

Tuesday, June 20, 2006 | 2:25 a.m.

A fter the Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada in October of 2000, becoming only the ninth female Episcopalian bishop in the United States, she commented about the historically scant leadership opportunities for women in her church.

"When I was growing up, the closest that little girls could come to the altar was singing in the choir," she told the Las Vegas Sun.

On Sunday, during the Episcopalian General Convention in Columbus, Ohio, Jefferts Schori outpolled six male candidates to become her denomination's next presiding bishop in the United States. The Episcopal Church, which is the U.S. arm of the global Anglican Communion, has 2.3 million members.

In a 2001 interview with the Sun, Jefferts Schori emphasized her priorities - spreading the gospel, reaching out to minorities and continuing the church's ministry in prisons and among the homeless. In May of 2003 she e-mailed the state Legislature, urging its members to pass the tax increases that were dividing its members. The increases eventually passed, allowing for improvements in education and social services.

The qualities she demonstrated here as an outstanding bishop will be needed as she confronts divisiveness among Anglicans worldwide over consecrating gay bishops and the role of women in the church. We believe Jefferts Schori, given a chance, will more than affirm that women can lead the choir as well as sing in it.