Interesting Episcopal Fact: The Bishop is the Priest of Every Parish

In our Episcopal polity, the Bishop is the chief pastor of every parish.  The bishop is always the Celebrant when he or she visits a parish.  Of course, it’s not possible for the bishop to be present in all churches every Sunday.  That’s why parishes call rectors, who serve vicariously when the bishop cannot be present.  (In England, rectors are called vicars—which comes from the same stem as vicarious.)

You’ll see this principle in action on May 30, when members of our St. Andrew’s Confirmation and Inquirers’ classes are confirmed at St. John’s, Portsmouth.  It is the practice of Derek Harbin, rector of St. John’s, to sit in the pew with the congregation when the bishop is visiting.  Lorna and Anne will do the same.