the reconcilier

By ( articles ) | Jun 26, 2004

On the Touchstone blog, contributor S.M. Hutchens gives us a deft portrait of an all-too-recognizable figure.

... the ever-smiling bishop of beneficent visage, the open-minded, open-armed, blessing-filled aristocrat of smooth lips and perfect control -- a master of prevarication and double meaning, who could preach to an audience of naive traditionalists and knowing liberals and please them all, the traditionalists because they took him at his word, the liberals because they took his meaning.

Hutchens's model was taken from the Episcopal Church. Most of us (if we substitute "administrator" for "aristocrat") can find specimens closer to home.