Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) was honored to welcome the Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, to campus this month.
Rowe spent two days at the Seminary during which he connected with students, preached in the chapel, delivered an address, and had a meeting with the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary, about the future of seminary education.
The Presiding Bishop was invited to campus by the Center for Anglican Communion Studies (CACS) at VTS to deliver the Albert T. Mollegen Forum, an event which engages religious and civic leaders in dialog about society’s most pressing issues. In his address, which was titled “Institutional Resistance: Theological Perspectives on Public Witness,” Rowe spoke about the need for Christian Institutions to ground their witness in deeply held theological insights, to acknowledge their own past failings and to offer hope for a better future. You can watch his address here.
Rowe was also the speaker at the CACS Companions Dinner, an annual event at which CACS members have the opportunity to meet leaders from across the Anglican Communion. Previous speakers have included the Most Rev. Justin Welby during his time as Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary, said: ““It was a privilege to invite Bishop Rowe back home to the Seminary where he was formed as a student. We appreciate his willingness to face the challenges of the Episcopal Church and think imaginatively about the way forward. We stand ready as a Seminary to support his ministry in every way that we are able.”
The Rev. A. Katherine Grieb, Ph.D., director of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies, said: “Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe is amazing. Among his many gifts are a thoughtful consideration of complex topics, an ability to listen, and clear suggestions about wise solutions. We cherish his deep faith, personal warmth, and playful banter in the midst of serious questions. We are excited about the next nine years!”
VTS is the largest provider of clergy to The Episcopal Church. It offers a three-year residential Master of Divinity degree, and three specialized Master of Arts degrees, as well as several one-year master’s-level programs, including a Diploma in Anglican Studies and Pathway to Ministry program.
All full-time residential students pursuing a Master’s-level program at VTS are eligible for a full scholarship package, covering their tuition, housing and meal plans.
The Mollegen Forum was established to continue the legacy of VTS faculty member, the Rev. Dr. Albert T. Mollegen, who served the seminary from 1936 to 1974 as professor of New Testament Language and Literature and later as the Clinton S. Quin Chair of Christian ethics.
Recent speakers have included the Most. Rev. Justin Welby, former Archbishop of Canterbury, who spoke on environmental reconciliation, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev Anthony Pogo, who addressed the crisis of migration and fostering a climate of hospitality; former Senate Majority leader George Mitchell, a key architect of Northern Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement; and former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.