Michael Vono: Bishop-elect of the Diocese of the Rio Grande


“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid....”
Thus begins a prayer which has been prayed at the beginning of hundreds of thousands of Anglican Eucharists since 1549.
For many of us it is a prayer of re-connection.  To hear it is to remind us of who we are and what we are about to do in Church. 
The very familiarity of this prayer shifts  hearts, souls and minds to the Eucharist (Holy Communion) as a place of connection with the Holy One; with the whole creation; and with each other.
In 1549 it might have been possible to believe that G-d alone was the One from whom no secrets could be heard.
In 2010 we know that every word we have uttered in the public forum can or will be exposed on the internet.  Those of us who write for blogs; or newspapers; or church newsletters; or Facebook etc. will be exposed, circulated, and critiqued in and by “the whole world”.
To use the internet means that there are no more secrets to be hid.
The Revd. Dr. Michael L. Vono, a dear and trusted friend of mine was last Saturday elected to be the Bishop of the Rio Grande (New Mexico and a bit of Texas, U.S.A.)   Already his every published word is being circulated and critiqued -  see
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/bishops/bishopelect_vono_on_life_the_u_1.html
‘Tis all very well and good I suppose, since the episcopalcafe is in the business of cyber journalism.
But what the episcopalcafe cannot convey is that Michael is a loving and capable priest; a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ; and a dear friend to me - and many others.
I would trust him with my secrets! 




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