David Zadig
Bishop Barbara C. Harris, pictured with her mother, Beatrice, at the 1989 consecration service.
On Feb. 11, the church marks the 30th anniversary of the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris's 1989 consecration--the day Harris became the first female bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
On this historic day, she issued the following message to the community of the Diocese of Massachusetts, where she served as bishop suffragan until her retirement in 2002.
Feb. 11 marks the 30th year of my consecration and the 30th anniversary of becoming bishop suffragan of this diocese.
I look back over these three decades and am mindful of the paraphrased words of the apostle Paul spoken in the consecration sermon: God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Similarly I am immeasurably grateful to the people of this great diocese for putting their trust in me to fulfill the role and office to which I was elected.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve and to continue to be helpful on occasion in retirement when called upon here and in other areas of the church.
At age 88 I can only humbly say, thank you for your continued prayers and support, and thanks be to God.
The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris
Bishop Suffragan, Retired