Sources close to the matter tell Anglican Watch that retired Dallas Bishop George Sumner may be planning to hole up at Advent Boston. These allegations came to light shortly before Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, visited Advent to discuss the organization’s future.
On the one hand, these reports are troubling, as Sumner is an evangelical. At the same time, Advent is decidedly high church and one of the most prominent Anglo-Catholic parishes in the country.
On the other hand, we saw Sumner sidle up to Advent in the wake of the Douglas Anderson debacle. That’s curious, since Anderson canonically reported to Sumner while serving at St. James, Texarkana.
At the same time, though, none of this is terribly surprising. Both Sumner and Anderson appear to be narcissists of the worst sort and utterly unethical. Moreover, both appear to be drawn, like moths to a flame, to high-profile places and events. Think Advent, its ginormous investments, and a visit from the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
Plus, given Advent’s historically reactionary stance on women priests and Sumner’s conservative creds, we could very much see him trying to wiggle his way into discussions involving the future of the Anglican Communion.
Were Sumner to successfully insert himself into these conversations, however, the results would undoubtedly harm all involved. After all, Sumner has acted badly towards LatinX parishes in Dallas. And his cover-up of the ongoing corruption at St. James Texarkana is facially unethical. No human being deserves to be sexually harassed, and Sumner’s role in these issues is beyond appalling.
