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Presiding Bishop Joins Religious Leaders at White House Breakfast with Clinton

Episcopal News Service. September 7, 1994 [94157]

Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning joined a dozen religious leaders at a White House breakfast with President Bill Clinton August 9 and was able to share with him some of the major concerns facing the Episcopal Church.

In a letter he prepared for the occasion, and in his remarks to the President and the other participants, Browning emphasized the importance of the United States in world affairs means that he is "often asked by overseas church partners" in the Anglican Communion "to represent their concerns to my government."

In addition to international concerns, Browning said that "the Episcopal Church stands four-square behind a health plan that provides universal access and comprehensive benefits" as a key element in its commitment to "the dignity of every human being -- which we affirm and serve in our baptismal covenant."

"The main theme of our conversation was the role of religion in the public arena," Browning said in an interview after the breakfast meeting. "It was a very diverse group of people, a clear demonstration of Clinton's eagerness to listen to a wide range of ideas." For example, another participant was Prof. Stephen Carter, an Episcopalian whose book on "The Culture of Disbelief" has stimulated a great deal of discussion in both religious and government circles.

Higher moral vision

The presiding bishop, who sat on one side of the President while conservative Roman Catholic author Michael Novak sat on the other side, said that the meeting had no political agenda but was a free-wheeling discussion. "There was general sympathy for the office and its tremendous burdens," Browning said. "But there were some signs that the evangelicals in the meeting were disenchanted with some elements of the early agenda of the Clinton Administration. Most of us encouraged the President to pursue his higher moral vision," he said.

"I told Clinton how moved I was by the obvious values displayed in his acceptance speech the night he was elected," Browning added. "And I observed how hard it must be to maintain that posture in the face of severe criticism -- how so many policies are based on self-interest that we often lose sight of higher values." The President told the group that the tendency in the press to ride a single issue was inducing cynicism in those who are serving in the government, according to the presiding bishop. One participant told the President that he had the opportunity, if not the obligation, to create and strengthen the moral bonds that hold the nation together.

"I think all of us left with an appreciation for the President's energy and ability to express himself," Browning said. "And I think we are prepared to encourage him in his attempt to articulate the spiritual, moral values that shaped our nation," Browning concluded. "He seemed very open to continuing that important conversation."