Dean Parsons of Nashotah House Elected VI Bishop of Quincy
Diocesan Press Service. July 5, 1973 [73167]
PEORIA, Ill. -- The Very Rev. Donald J. Parsons, Dean of Nashotah House, Nashotah, Wisconsin was elected the sixth Bishop of Quincy at the special convention of the Diocese held on May 5 at St. Paul's Cathedral in Peoria. As Dean since 1963 he is credited with having built up an outstanding faculty and student body. He has a reputation as an excellent pastor, shrewd administrator, and a. keen judge of men. He began his ministry at Nashotah in 1950 as an instructor of New Testament after serving three parishes. Dean Parsons is married and he and his wife Mary have three children aged 11 to 15.
Dean Parsons has served in the adult education program in a nearby Milwaukee parish, as a conductor of numerous retreats for both laity and clergy, has authored two books, and has been a member of the Joint Commission on Theological Education, the Conference of American Seminary Deans, and served as co-Chairman of the Annual Conference of Examining Chaplains in the 5th and 6th Provinces.
Dean Parsons has exhibited a high degree of sensitivity to the needs of the Church in rural areas and his seminary is located in the rolling Wisconsin farm country between Milwaukee and Madison. In response to a question from the Committee on Nominations Dean Parsons said, "The peculiar needs of the Church in rural areas have not had the attention that they require and deserve. " He indicated that a high priority would be devising an adequate strategy to deal with the problems of the rural areas of the Church.
Dean Parsons has also established a considerable reputation as a man of deep spirituality and integrity. He is considered to be an extremely thoughtful person and his students, faculty and alumni speak of him with great respect and admiration. An indication of the temper of the man can be discerned in his response to a question on the role of communication in the Church posed by the nominating committee. Dean Parsons replied slowly, " First of all, really listen to the other fellow. Do not presume you know his position before he has begun to state it, and also be very careful about presuming to judge his motives. Second, be honest in presenting any doubts, questions, or differing views you may have. Too many times people are silent in meetings and then voice their objections later. Third, accept the truth that Christians can honestly disagree on issues without your condemning them, or their condemning you. Consensus is desirable of course, but integrity must be preserved and respected. In time, integrity will guarantee a lot better communication. "
The election of Dean Parsons came after a long and diligent search by the Committee on Nominations. During the six months prior to the special convention, the committee screened more than 90 clergy who were submitted for its consideration. The committee utilized the counsel of Bp. D. E. Richards, director of the Office of Pastoral Development which serves the church nationally in these matters. Dean Parsons was chosen from a slate of 5 clergy submitted to the convention by the committee and from three priests whose names were placed in nomination at the convention.
The convention was attended by 65 lay delegates and 21 priests representing every corner of the diocese.