Pacific School of Religion/Berkeley: Grace Cathedral/San Francisco--Dr. Shaw’s ascension as one of the first female deans might be more significant than her being openly lesbian...

Dr. Shaw will also be the cathedral’s first openly gay dean.

¨On June 25, Grace Cathedral’s Board of Trustees by unanimous roll call vote enthusiastically approved the nomination of the Rev. Canon Dr. Jane Alison Shaw as the eighth dean of Grace Cathedral. She was nominated by the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus after an extensive search process.

¨The installation of Jane Alison Shaw as the eighth dean of Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill on Nov. 6 is a milestone — she will be the first woman to lead the cathedral, which was founded during the Gold Rush in 1849.

“Jane Shaw’s spiritual depth, commitment to the Gospel, theological vision and leadership skills make her uniquely qualified to help guide Grace Cathedral into its second century,” said the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California " HERE

The Right Reverend Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California

“There are places in the communion where women still cannot be ordained,”
“I’m glad I live in a moment in history when I can answer the call,” Dr. Shaw said in a telephone interview from England, where she is finishing work as the dean of divinity at Oxford University.

While one’s sexual orientation rarely raises an eyebrow in San Francisco these days, the Episcopal Church has been torn apart over the issue of full inclusion for gay men and lesbians. Dr. Shaw’s elevation to lead one of the denomination’s most prominent churches is “a signal moment,” said The Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, bishop of the Diocese of California. “We seek to be a house of prayer for all people.” HERE

· Thanks to The Episcopal Church, diocese of California
· Thanks to The Reverend Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California
· Thanks to The Rev. Canon Dr. Jane Alison Shaw, Oxford
·  Thanks to The New York Times,  The Bay Citizen
· Thanks to  Photography by Robert Taylor,  Photos, United Kingdom
· Thanks to Scott James
· Thanks to Geoff Kors, Equality California
· Thanks to Jay Johnson
· Thanks to The Episcopal Cafe
· Thanks to Andrew Gerns