Saturday, April 17, 2010

Former bishop of Episcopal diocese dies


From Savannah-

The Right Rev. George Paul Reeves was known for his conservative perspective on the Episcopal Church.

Members say he was outspoken on his opposition to the 1979 revisions to the Book of Common Prayer and the ordination of women in the priesthood.

But to rubber-stamp the former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia as a conservative in a theologically-divided church would fail to capture the gifts he brought to Christianity, said Mills Fleming, senior warden of Christ Church Episcopal.

"There's an art form to a worship service, particularly an Episcopal service," said Fleming, Reeves' godson. "I think his strength was in the liturgy. He was a consummate liturgist."

Reeves, 91, died Thursday in Asheville, N.C.

Reeves retired to North Carolina in 1985 after serving more than a decade as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. He was consecrated the diocese's seventh bishop in 1969.

The Right Rev. Harry W. Shipps, who succeeded Reeves as bishop, remembered the man both for his strong views and his sense of humor.

"I greatly valued his wisdom, and recall his strong commitment to the historic traditions of the Church," Shipps said. "He had an ironic sense of humor that always amused."

More here-

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-04-17/former-bishop-episcopal-diocese-dies

No comments: