LOUISIANA: Bishop Jenkins announces retirement
Episcopal News Service. December 5, 2008 [120508-07]
Lisa B. Hamilton
Bishop Charles E. Jenkins III of Louisiana, saying he has struggled with the emotional trauma caused by the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005, has announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2009.
In a letter to the diocese, Jenkins, 57, wrote, "This move is based on issues of health and a concern for the mission strategy of the diocese."
Hurricane Katrina killed 1,800 people and flooded 80 percent of New Orleans and areas of the city remain devastated today. The diocese of Louisiana, which has offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, has been intensely involved with continuing disaster relief and recovery.
Members of the diocese also coped with Hurricane Gustav, which hit the Gulf Coast on Sept. 1, 2008, the three-year anniversary of Katrina, causing 43 deaths in Louisiana. Most New Orleans residents complied with a mandatory evacuation order and the city was not flooded.
Jenkins wrote, "My struggle with health issues since Katrina has not been a secret. My PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder] was exaggerated by the experience of the mandatory evacuation in Hurricane Gustav. The symptoms that accompany the PTSD now seem deeper and more frequent. After talking with various health professionals, it seems best for me that I take a significant rest, which means an absence from the stress and strains of the episcopate. I considered and explored the possibility of a medical leave and even a sabbatical. I could not bring myself to do this for there is no assurance that I would be back to lead the diocese. I am not willing to ask this diocese to take such a risk."
In the last year of his episcopate, Jenkins wrote that he hoped to focus on social ministry. In the meantime, he pledged, "I shall remain bishop of this diocese until the day of my retirement and I shall do all in my power to see that we stay on this path to biblical justice, the building of the Beloved Community, and the realization of the New Jerusalem midst our ruin and degradation."
Jenkins was consecrated bishop coadjutor (bishop with right of succession) of Louisiana in 1997. He became bishop when then-bishop James B. Brown retired the following year. Prior to his consecration, Jenkins served parishes in Louisiana and Texas.
Jenkins is a 1976 graduate of Nashotah House Seminary. His first call was as assisant chaplain at Louisiana State University, and he has continued to emphasize the needs of young people thoughout his ministry. As a bishop, he has expanded campus ministry and has launched a diocesan youth conference center.
Another abiding interest of Jenkins' is ecumenical relations. His post-seminary education includes five years studying Judaism, and he has used that knowledge and interest at the local, national and international levels.
Jenkins and his wife, the former Louise Hazel, are the parents of two grown sons.