Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Possibilities for a Progressive Civility

Abstract

Some recent scholarship about civility suggests that civility is incompatible with social justice politics because it marginalizes dissent. This essay illustrates the progressive potential of civility though an analysis of the rhetoric of Katharine Jefferts Schori, the current presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and first woman to hold the post. I argue that Jefferts Schori forges a progressive civility by casting a vision for the church and rhetorically transcending controversies, thereby subordinating tense issues. Especially when Jefferts Schori responds to difficult topics, she treats people who disagree with her with respect and dignity, consistent with her liberatory vision.

Acknowledgments

This essay is derived from the author's dissertation, directed by Celeste Condit and Thomas Lessl. The author is also grateful to Belinda Stillion Southard, Kelly Happe, Peggy Kreshel, MaryAlice Adams, and Joshua Trey Barnett for helpful suggestions throughout the preparation of this essay. An earlier version of this essay was presented at the 2012 meeting of the National Communication Association in Orlando, FL.

Notes

Compared to previous presiding bishop elections, Jefferts Schori's election required slightly more ballots. Frank Griswold was elected on the third ballot in 1997 while Edmond Browning's election in 1985 took four ballots and the 1973 election of John Allin required only two ballots (Archives of the Episcopal Church, 1973; Barwell, 1997; Ehrich, 1985).

Bishop Duncan has since left the Episcopal Church and now serves as Archbishop of the conservative Anglican Church in North America (Hodges, 2009).

For additional treatments of transcendence in rhetorical studies not otherwise cited in this essay, see Brummett (1981), Daughton (1993), Fay and Kuypers (2012), Goldzwig (2003), and Olson (2009).

I cite the individual sermons I quote and provide links for them, but the general archive is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/presiding-bishop-sermons-and-statements.

Jefferts Schori's rhetoric shares many commonalities with feminine style: She includes herself in the implications of her messages, relies on stories and exudes a collaborative ethos. Although transcendence better captures the function of Jefferts Schori's appeal to higher values, on these characteristics, feminine style dovetails nicely with progressive civility. For more on feminine style, see Campbell (1989), Dow and Tonn (1993), and Parry-Giles and Parry-Giles (1996).