Prelate Joins Christ Church Staff
Diocesan Press Service. September 14, 1973 [73222]
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A high-ranking prelate of the worldwide Anglican Communion (of which the Episcopal Church in the U.S. is a part) will leave his post in Canada in a unique move which will bring him to a parish in this upper South Carolina city.
The Most Rev. Ralph S. Dean, D.D., Archbishop of British Columbia and the Yukon and former Executive Officer of the Anglican Communion, has accepted a parish position with Christ Church of Greenville as an assistant to the rector, according to an announcement by the Rev. Thomas H. Carson, Jr., Rector of the church.
"We feel most fortunate that a man of Archbishop Dean's background and experience sees fit to join us in our efforts to find what we term 'new patterns of ministry,' " the rector said. " He brings us a vision of worldwide mission as a result of his five years' work as Anglican Executive Officer, and his wealth of knowledge as an outstanding scholar and teacher of New Testament. "
Christ Church, with some 3,000 baptized members, is recognized in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina as a parish of unusual thrust and growth in the Episcopal Church. It has a clergy staff of six, and operates a large parochial school.
Archbishop Dean, a graduate of the University of London, has served in areas that range from the slums of London to the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. His resignation as head of the Anglican province of British Columbia and as Bishop of Cariboo will be effective Nov. 1, and his work with the Greenville church will begin formally Dec. 1.
Consultations were held by the Archbishop with his superiors, the Most Rev. Edward Walter Scott, Primate of Canada, and the Most Rev. Arthur Michael Ramsey, Primate of All England and head of the Anglican Communion; and simultaneously the Greenville rector consulted with the Most Rev. John E. Hines, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and the Rt. Rev. George M. Alexander of Columbia, Bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Each of the prelates gave his wholehearted endorsement to the move.
The rector pointed out that in recent years it has become apparent that clergy elected to the Episcopate at rather early ages have found, after 10 or 15 years, that a change of direction in ministry is perhaps desirable. "Unfortunately for bishops and for the church," Fr. Carson said, "they have had to remain as head of a diocese until eligible for full retirement benefits. Perhaps our innovation here will serve as a pilot project for the utilization of bishops in different roles."
Archbishop Dean, who conducted a teaching mission at Christ Church last March, expressed enthusiasm this week for his forthcoming role as assistant to the rector. "I look forward to exploring new patterns of ministry," he said. "The idea of a bishop functioning in such a role, removed from administrative responsibilities, is a very appealing one to me."