James Pike - Election As Bishop

Election As Bishop

He was elected as bishop coadjutor of California in 1958 and succeeded to the See a few months later, following the death of his predecessor, Karl Morgan Block. In this position, he served until 1966, when he abdicated/resigned. At that point, he began to work for the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, a liberal, private-sector think tank.

His episcopate was marked by both professional and personal controversy. He was one of the leaders of the Protestants and Other Americans United for the Separation of Church and State movement, which advocated against John Kennedy's presidential campaign because of Catholic teachings. While at Grace Cathedral, he was involved with promoting a living wage for workers in San Francisco, the acceptance of LGBT people in the church, and civil rights. He also recognized a Methodist minister as having dual ordination and freedom to serve in the diocese. Later, he ordained a woman as a first-order deacon, now known as a "transitional deacon", usually the first step in the process towards ordination in the priesthood in the Episcopal church. The ordination was not approved until after Pike's death.

Among his notable accomplishments, Pike met with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his march to Selma, Alabama.

Pike's theology was profoundly challenging to the Church, involving the rejection of central Christian beliefs. His writings questioned a number of widely regarded theological stances, including the virginity of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the doctrine of Hell, and the Trinity. He famously called for "fewer beliefs, more belief." Heresy procedures were begun in 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1966, each growing in intensity; but, in the end, the Church decided it was not in the denomination's best interest to pursue an actual heresy trial. However, he was censured in 1966 by his brother bishops and resigned his position shortly thereafter.

In his personal life, Pike was a chain-smoker and an alcoholic. His charismatic personality drew many people to him, including his secretary Maren Hackett, with whom he developed a romantic relationship that cost him his second marriage in 1969.