# The heretics' pew

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-heretics-pew-bishop-ordination
- Themes: interfaith, humour, friendship
- Life situations: long ceremony, interfaith friendship

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Ajahn Brahm, Abbot Placid of New Norcia, and a Uniting Church moderator sit together at St George's Cathedral for the ordination of Bishop Kay Goldsworthy (as captioned Kate Bosworth), the first woman Anglican bishop in the world. During the long ceremony the three 'heretics' tell jokes like naughty schoolchildren — too senior to be sent out.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

Kay Goldsworthy I think it was. I got invited to the St Georges' Cathedral, it was the first female Bishop in any Christian tradition in the world. And it was done here in Perth so I got an invite. Two hours it took, so much ceremonies and rituals just to make someone a Bishop. Fortunately I was sitting next to my mate Abbot Placid he was the old Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery in New Norcia. We had a whole pew for non-believers so I was there with the Catholics, the Uniting Church.. We had a great time; we were telling jokes to each other like naughty school boys in Church but because we were both Abbots we couldn't be sent out

## Teaching point

Friendship across faiths can be wicked, warm and human.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

At the ordination of the world's first woman Anglican bishop, Ajahn Brahm, a Benedictine abbot and a church moderator whispered jokes like naughty schoolboys; too senior to be sent out. Friendship across faiths can be warm and wicked. Seek out people who differ from you. They challenge you and widen your view.

## Source

- [Word of the Buddha (part 4) | Ajahn Brahm | 26 February 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxIVyCp8NVE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 53:03 to 53:47: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxIVyCp8NVE&t=3183s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Just Do It | Ajahn Brahm | 12 July 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneCXz51CJw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 33:55 to 36:07: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneCXz51CJw&t=2035s