In the Diocese of Washington, the lawsuit that the Diocese initiated over the Soper Trust fund still moves ahead with a trial scheduled for late March. The Diocese of Washington hopes to gain complete control over the money left by the late Mrs. Ruth Gregory Soper.

Other news from the melting-down Diocese of Washington includes more lay-offs.

On March 8, 2012, Bishop Mariann Budde realized that she was dismissing two long-term employees, Lucy Chumbley, who was the editor of the Washington Window, and Sheryl Wilcox, an event planner for the diocese. The cursory dismissal of the long-term popular writer and editor of the Washington Window has caused both dismay and perplexity in the Diocese of Washington. At least one source said that with Chumbley's reputation for integrity, she might have threatened Budde by knowing too much about the inner workings of the diocese.

Another diocesan leader states that even though the diocese does face severe financial difficulties, the reason behind these lay-offs is at least partially Budde's desire to be seen as changing the regime of Bishop John Bryson Chane. The leader who spoke off the record said that the new bishop is largely seen as insecure. Budde frequently speaks of her time as rector in Minneapolis and tells the same stories repeatedly, as if her limited experience will help spark growth in the Diocese of Washington.

Budde's Continued Adulation of Poet David Whyte

On March 8, 2012, in her weekly "Message from Bishop Mariann", Budde released her usual weekly thoughts and once again stated that she takes guidance from atheistic guru David Whyte. She writes, "I am well aware this week of that gap between what I, by exertion and discipline, can make happen and what depends on the grace and power of God. I'm reminded by the poet David Whyte that velocity is not always the best answer to complexity."

What does this mean? Budde's reference seems to be to an interview David Whyte gave on "Courageous Conversation." Whyte says that every human must have "intimate conversation with the unknown."

In the interview, Whyte talks of his time working at a company under duress. He became so stressed that he walked into a meeting of colleagues and asked, "Where is David?" In other words, Whyte asked where he himself was and did not know. His learning from this was that you cannot move faster and faster (i.e. in velocity) when complex situations arise.

Whyte proclaims that he uses some unnamed spiritual force for his thoughts. He states that he does not believe in God. So the Bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, follows a man who doesn't even know what spiritual force he uses. This force is surely not our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who reveals himself and calls us by name.

Because of Whyte's connection with his unnamed power, the Diocese of Washington is now led by this same power. The resulting confusion and chaos breeds increased fear among the people. As one person said, "I am just trying to stay out of sight of her."

We fear that Bishop Budde is already to the point of asking where she herself is. Surely some in her diocese are asking this. Her dismissal of the scriptures is of primary concern. Her continued following of Whyte as her guru promises disaster to the Diocese of Washington.

In response to her thoughts on a blog, two people posted desultory comments thanking her for using David Whyte. No other vigorous comments or debate surfaced. But really, what could be said? The Diocese of Washington has a bishop whose only mission seems to be to turn the Episcopal Church into a David Whyte fan club. Probably only Whyte and his publicists are currently delighted in Budde's work.

Sarah Frances Ives is a frequent contributor to Virtueonline

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