Jane Holmes Dixon

Jane Dixon

Former Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore

The Right Reverend Jane Holmes Dixon served as Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore, with ecclesiastical authority for the diocese until she retired in 2002. When the “On Faith” panelist was consecrated in 1992 as Suffragan Bishop of Washington, she was the second woman to be elevated to the office of bishop in the Episcopal Church, and the third in the worldwide Anglican Communion. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1981. The seminary awarded her a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1993. Dixon has worked extensively to enhance understanding among different denominations and was instrumental in bringing about the conference, Two Sacred Paths: Christianity and Islam: A Call for Understanding at Washington National Cathedral in 1998. She also presided at the Interfaith Service for the Nation at the Washington National Cathedral on September 14, 2001. She has served as President of The Interfaith Alliance, a national organization with 185,000 members and 75 local activist groups, and recently joined The Interfaith Alliance Foundation as senior advisor for Inter-Religious Affairs. Close.

Jane Dixon

Former Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore

The Right Reverend Jane Holmes Dixon served as Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore, with ecclesiastical authority for the diocese until she retired in 2002. When the “On Faith” panelist was consecrated in 1992 as Suffragan Bishop of Washington, she was the second woman to be elevated to the office of bishop in the Episcopal Church, and the third in the worldwide Anglican Communion. more »

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Conversation not Conversion

I learned some years ago that for some folk, knowing they have The Truth is essential for their salvation. And furthermore, they need to bring that Truth to others in order to secure their own justification.

I have found that taking a person seriously and respecting his or her dignity and faith perspective, sometimes allows conversation, sometimes it doesn’t. For any common ground to be established candor is vital; the common ground is personal integrity.

The difficulties of talking to those whose faith is absolute is, of course, there is little possibility for exploration of other belief systems, and if a decision about a course of action is necessary, then one position will prevail. The benefits are, of course, the opportunity to enrich one’s own knowledge and maybe, just maybe, form a relationship that brings advantages to both parties.

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