By Kirk Petersen The Rev. Harold Knight, who at 108 was believed to be the oldest living Episcopal priest, died in November in Mesa, Arizona, where he lived. He graduated from seminary in 1937 and retired from full-time ministry at the age of 65 in 1977, and thus has the distinction of living through a retirement that lasted longer than his career. In a letter to the … [Read more...] about Oldest Episcopal Priest Dies in Arizona at 108
Diocese of Arizona
Robert Shahan, Retired Bishop of Arizona, Dies at 80
The Rt. Rev. Robert Reed Shahan, IV Bishop of Arizona, died in Kansas at the age of 80 on August 14, 2020, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Bishop Shahan was consecrated as bishop diocesan in December 1992, after spending a few months as bishop coadjutor. He retired in 2004. He served on the General Convention's influential Joint Standing Committee on … [Read more...] about Robert Shahan, Retired Bishop of Arizona, Dies at 80
Border Summit Focuses on Migrant Crisis
By Alexander Swain 200 Episcopalians and other Christians from across the country and beyond attended the second annual Border Ministries Summit in Tucson, Arizona, on November 21-23. They convened at a time of increasing human migration globally, and rising tensions along the U.S.-Mexico border as the United States stands accused of mistreating migrants and refugees. The … [Read more...] about Border Summit Focuses on Migrant Crisis
Diocese Faces Sex Abuse Allegations From Early 1970s
A man has filed suit against the Diocese of Arizona and one of its parishes, saying the church did not respond sufficiently to allegations that he was molested by a priest in the early 1970s. Charles Taylor alleges that he was sexually molested repeatedly at about age 12 by the Rev. Richard Babcock, a priest at what is now Grace St. Paul Church in Tucson, and that he … [Read more...] about Diocese Faces Sex Abuse Allegations From Early 1970s
Arizona Appoints Canon to the Ordinary
The Rev. Anita Braden will join the Diocese of Arizona staff as canon to the ordinary on June 17. Braden is currently the chaplain of St. Margaret’s, an all-girls Episcopal boarding school located in Tappahannock, Va. She is in the final stages of obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary. Braden brings to her new position experiences with large and … [Read more...] about Arizona Appoints Canon to the Ordinary
A Bishop’s Pilgrimage to Nogales, Mexico
The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith, Bishop of Arizona, describes spending time among refugees in Mexico: A little more than a week ago, I traveled to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to be with some of the refugees seeking asylum in this country. I was deeply saddened by the suffering I witnessed, but also heartened by the good work that Deacon Rodger Babnew and his team of volunteers are … [Read more...] about A Bishop’s Pilgrimage to Nogales, Mexico
Arizonans Elect N.Y. Priest
The Rev. Jennifer Anne Reddall, rector of Church of the Epiphany in New York City, has been elected the sixth Bishop of Arizona. She was one of three nominees and was elected on the first ballot. The other two nominees were the Rev. Dena Marcel Cleaver-Bartholomew, rector of Christ Church, Manlius, N.Y., and the Rev. Andrew Wallace Walter, rector of Grace Church, Silver … [Read more...] about Arizonans Elect N.Y. Priest
‘Arizona Has Lost a Great Leader’
The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona, pays tribute to Sen. John McCain in a message to the diocese: I ask all Arizona Episcopalians to join with me in offering prayers and thanksgiving for the life of Senator John McCain and for his family in this time of sorrow. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting with Senator McCain on several occasions, and I always found him to … [Read more...] about ‘Arizona Has Lost a Great Leader’