Jefferts Schori

Jefferts Schori
Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Katharine Jefferts Schori
Birth date	1954-03-26
Birth place	Pensacola, Florida, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Bishop, Theologian, Biologist
Known for	26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

Jefferts Schori Jefferts Schori is an American Episcopal bishop and former scientist who served as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 2006 to 2015. A trained marine biologist and ordained priest, she became the first woman elected as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and the first from the Pacific Northwest, known for leadership during debates over LGBT rights in the United States, Anglican Communion tensions, and engagement with global Anglicanism. Her tenure intersected with institutions and figures across Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion, United Nations, and ecumenical partners.

Early life and education

Born in Pensacola, Florida, she is the daughter of an academic family connected to University of California, Davis, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and communities on San Juan Islands. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Oregon State University, pursuing postgraduate research at Oregon State University and later doctoral studies in oceanography and marine biology at Oregon State University and University of Washington. Her scientific training included work with NOAA and collaborations with researchers affiliated with institutions such as Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. During this period she developed interests that bridged natural science and questions engaged by Episcopal theology and pastoral ministry.

Ordained ministry and rise in Episcopal Church

Following her transition from research to ministry, she attended Church Divinity School of the Pacific for theological training and was ordained in the Episcopal Church. She served in parish ministry and diocesan roles within the Diocese of Nevada and the Diocese of San Joaquin before election as bishop of the Diocese of Nevada. Her episcopal ministry connected her with leaders from the House of Bishops, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, and ecumenical partners including the Presbyterian Church (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and representatives from Roman Catholic Church jurisdictions. She became a prominent figure in national religious discussions alongside leaders from United Methodist Church, American Baptist Churches USA, and faith-based advocacy organizations.

Presiding Bishop (2006–2015)

Elected by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, she was installed as Presiding Bishop in a ceremony attended by delegations from the Anglican Communion, including primates from Church of England, Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, Anglican Church of Canada, and the Province of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Her primacy coincided with major events such as the consecration of Gene Robinson, controversies over same-sex unions in dioceses like Diocese of New Hampshire and Diocese of California, and meetings of the Lambeth Conference. As Presiding Bishop she chaired the House of Bishops and represented the church at international forums including gatherings of the World Council of Churches, the United Nations, and interfaith summits with leaders from World Methodist Council and the Council on Foreign Relations religious advisory networks.

Theological positions and controversies

Her tenure was marked by theological debates involving Anglican Communion authority, interpretations of scripture, and pastoral responses to LGBT rights in the United States and same-sex marriage debates in bodies such as the United States Congress and state legislatures. She defended the Episcopal Church’s decisions on the ordination and marriage of gay clergy in dialogues with conservative primates from provinces including the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Anglican Church of Uganda, and Province of the Southern Cone of America. Critics from movements like the Anglican Mission in the Americas and allied dioceses raised issues at gatherings such as the Primates' Meeting (Anglican Communion), while supporters cited resolutions from the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and statements from ecumenical partners like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in defense of inclusion. Her public statements engaged commentators in outlets associated with The New York Times, The Washington Post, and religious journals including The Living Church and Anglican Journal.

Ecumenical and interfaith relations

She cultivated relations with leaders across the Roman Catholic Church, including dialogues with representatives of the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, and with Eastern Orthodox hierarchs from jurisdictions such as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Ecumenical engagement included joint initiatives with the World Council of Churches, cooperative social ministry with Catholic Charities USA, and partnerships on immigration and environmental stewardship with organizations like Interfaith Power & Light and faith leaders at the United Nations. She also hosted interreligious conversations involving representatives from Islamic Society of North America, United States Conference of Protestant Bishops, and Jewish organizations such as the American Jewish Committee.

Later life and legacy

After retiring as Presiding Bishop she returned to the Pacific Northwest and continued involvement in theological education, advisory roles with institutions such as the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and environmental advocacy groups linked to Sierra Club and marine science programs at Oregon State University. Her legacy is reflected in ongoing debates within Anglican Communion structures, programs of the Episcopal Church, and studies in gender and leadership at seminaries like Virginia Theological Seminary and ecumenical centers including Bossey Ecumenical Institute. Historians and commentators in publications such as Christianity Today and academic presses assess her impact on ecclesial polity, pastoral care, and the church’s public witness on social issues.

Category:Episcopal bishops of the United States Category:Women Anglican bishops Category:1954 births Category:Living people