John Bryson Chane

John Bryson Chane

Episcopal Bishop of Washington

The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane is the eighth Episcopal Bishop of Washington, a diocese that encompasses 93 congregations and about 45,000 church members in the District of Columbia, and the Maryland counties of Prince George's, Montgomery, Charles and Saint Mary's. Before coming to Washington, the “On Faith” panelist was dean of Saint Paul's Cathedral in San Diego from 1996-2002. In Washington, he also serves as president of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which governs Saint Alban’s School for Boys, the National Cathedral School for Girls, Beauvoir Primary School, the Cathedral College and the National Cathedral. Throughout his ministry, Chane has been active in projects addressing low-income housing needs, public education reform, poverty and health care reform issues. He also has worked with Episcopalian and charitable organizations around the world as a community organizer, board member and adviser. In San Diego, he was part of an initiative to strengthen ties with Hispanic church members. As part of that effort, he served on the Diocesan Hispanic Task Force and coordinated the “Church Without Borders” program linking the Diocese of San Diego with the Diocese of Western Mexico and the Anglican Church of Mexico. Chane, who earned his divinity degree at Yale Divinity School, enjoys playing drums in reunions with his old blues band, "The Chane Gang." Close.

John Bryson Chane

Episcopal Bishop of Washington

The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane is the eighth Episcopal Bishop of Washington, a diocese that encompasses 93 congregations and about 45,000 church members in the District of Columbia, and the Maryland counties of Prince George's, Montgomery, Charles and Saint Mary's more »

Main Page | John Bryson Chane Archives | On Faith Archives


Parsley's View Dangerous, Divisive

The Question: John McCain's spiritual guide, televangelist Rod Parsley, calls Islam a "false religion" that should be "destroyed." Should McCain renounce Parsley? Will Islam be an issue in this year's U.S. presidential election?

If Islam is a "false religion" then so too must Christianity and Judaism. Pastor Parsley unfortunately demonstrates a level of ignorance that is both dangerous and divisive in understanding the faithful and historic connection between the three great Abrahamic, monotheistic religions of the world, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Such thinking demonstrates a level of Islamaphobia that inflames the current divide between creative dialogue with Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Given the current negative standing of the United States in the Middle East based on a failed foreign policy and a total lack of understanding of the teachings of the Koran exhibited by a majority of Americans and some of their elected members of Congress, it is not only essential but absolutely necessary for Senator McCain to disavow the pronouncements of Parsley. He absolutely must break publicly with this supposed Christian religious leaders uninformed, misguided and hate filled understanding of a religion that numbers over one and a half billion Muslims throughout the world.

I have to ask; "what reputable theological did this uniformed Christian pastor graduate from?"

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