INDIANAPOLIS – The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, sees progress for The Episcopal Church at its 77th General Convention.

“First, I see that the planning has been done very, very well,” said Howe, who retired in 2011 after 13 years as the Bishop of West Missouri. Howe has attended nine General Conventions, four as deputy and five as bishop. At this convention, Howe says, there has been ample opportunity for fellowship and a sense of respect for time.

While resolutions on budget and same-sex blessings have been making the most news, Howe is most pleased about the church’s constructive position on Israel and Palestine. Before General Convention, there were talks of boycotts of Israel, though the Presiding Bishop favored engagement. This moderate approach has been affirmed.

“I see a whole lot less tension,” said Howe. “I think that is a very good sign.”

Bishop Howe is active in overseas mission and evangelism; he is a board member of both the Episcopal Evangelical Society and the American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem. He says that the comparison with South Africa was not accurate; instead a boycott of Israel would punish Palestinians.

“It’s freed from a lot of the politics,” said Howe, “with much more a sense of the involvement in the people there. “

Howe has been vocal on the floor of the House of Bishops concerning the Middle East. For instance, in a vote on support of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, he advocated that the funds go through the American Friends of Jerusalem, which has accounting controls already in place to ensure the funds are properly accounted for.

Over a decade ago, Howe said that The Episcopal Church Center discussed moving Church Center offices to Kansas City. Whether they move from New York or stay, it needs to be carefully considered. Said Howe, “They need to be very careful about where they do go.”

He does recognize the need to consider the cost of maintaining a headquarters in Manhattan, though he said this sort of talk has been going on for 30 years. To him, the cost is not just about the value of the building, but of doing business in New York City.

“To go to New York even for a meeting is so costly,” said Howe.

Howe has a long familiarity with Southwest Florida, as he was Dean of St. Peter’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg for 11 years.

At the convention, Bishop Howe’s wife Mary Howe received honors from the Episcopal Church Women at their 47th Triennial Meeting as one of their Distinguished Women. Mrs. Howe, a Cornell-trained nurse, has been active in many of the parishes across her former diocese and also with St. Luke’s in Kansas City.

“Mary and I are very thankful that we are in Southwest Florida,” said Howe.

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