The least surprising act of the Episcopal Church meeting in General Convention this week in Columbus, Ohio, was electing a liberal to be Presiding Bishop. But the most surprising was electing a little-known woman, who has never served as rector of her own parish to lead the Episcopal Church. Katherine Jefforts Schori, the Bishop of Nevada, is an outspoken advocate of gay ordination, same-sex blessings and pretty much the rest of the revisionist agenda of the American left. As far as the church in America goes, her womanhood makes little difference, except with those who value symbolism over substance. But in an Anglican Communion where the majority of provinces do not recognize women's ordination, Bishop Schori's elevation only complicates the messy break-up of Anglicanism. The much talked about "Windsor Report" had called upon ECUSA to "repent" of its actions in ordaining V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. Not only is this not repentance. It is the equivalent of saying "oh yeah? You ain't seen nothing yet. How about this?" (All done with a smile... Episcopalians would never talk like that.)

 Bishop Schori appears to be an outspoken liberal. In one of her first interviews, she called on the church to "stand for something." From every indication, the something appears to be undiluted liberalism, abortion as "choice," an anti-capital punishment stance and righteousness as environmental conformity rather than moral and spiritual repentance. Gone will be the "dishonest brokering" of Frank Griswold and his predecessor Edmund Browning who talked "inclusiveness" and "diversity" while voting for and pushing the gay agenda and marginalizing conservatives. Schori appears to be more honest.

 The vote for Schori also placed the Jacksonville-based Diocese of Florida in a position of having to openly declare its allegiance. Bishop John Howard, in his battle with conservatives over the gay issue, had said "we are a conservative diocese" and "we will not ordain homosexuals as long as I am the bishop." His attempt to both stay connected to the Episcopal Church while standing against it rang hollow to many. It turns out that Bishop Howard and all eight deputies, both clergy and lay, voted to confirm Bishop Schori. This is nothing less than game over for Howard. He cannot claim the conservative mantle any more. A vote for Bishop Schori ended the masquerade for good. Not only have "moderates" turned out to be liberal. Even self-proclaimed "conservatives" turned out to be liberal too. Schori has served to remove the camouflage and for that many conservatives are grateful.

 Remarking on the election of Bishop Schori, The Very Reverend Edward Harrison, Dean of St. John's Cathedral said "She will be called to serve the whole church. She cannot have an agenda." That lasted less than half a day. The agenda came tumbling out during her first few interviews. The truth is that "moderates" in the Episcopal Church are engaging in a "Tinkerbelle" belief. Close your eyes and clap your hands in hope that an agenda-less PB will appear. In ECUSA, the worldview is the agenda and in Schori's case, it is abundantly clear.

 And why shouldn't liberals crow? They have put their opponents to flight. To the victors belong the spoils, along with the empty churches. But after hearing for 30 years that "the church is people," we now know better. As one liberal clergyman put it. "People leave the Episcopal Church, but churches never leave." Huh?

 It was once said, a moderate is a liberal who wants to keep his job, a person who lacks the courage of his convictions. But moderates are like Democrats. Don't watch what they say. Watch what they do. In confirming a left-wing, female Presiding Bishop, the libs have done it up big. Accelerated church-shrink awaits. Along with their beloved consultations, conventions, committees and convocations. The sad part is, they don't seem to care that they have traded their birthright for a mess of potage.

  John Pendleton