Mark Edington

Cognoscenti contributor

Mark Edington is the Bishop in Charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.

Recently published

A hole is seen in the dome inside Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

Notre Dame And The Possibility Of Transcendence

We grieve not only for the building but for the ideas it has represented throughout the ages, writes Mark Edington.

Cognoscenti

Apr 17, 2019

The Rev. Billy Graham gave a public address titled "Is God Relevant for the 21st Century" at the Kennedy School of Government on Sept. 27, 1999. (Courtesy Harvard University)

When Billy Graham Preached At Harvard

The evangelical pastor, who died last week at 99, drew an enormous crowd, writes Mark Edington.

Cognoscenti

Mar 1, 2018

A family takes photographs during first year move-in day while on the Lawn of the University of Virginia, Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va., a week after a white nationalist rally took place on there. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The Letter I Wish A College President Would Write

After recent events on a college campus in Charlottesville, Mark Edington wishes more university administrators would tackle themes of citizenship more directly.

Cognoscenti

Sep 5, 2017

Faith In Trumpland: Redefining Belief In Donald Trump's America

The civil religion of the 1960s was spoken largely in terms of Christianity, and more specifically Protestantism, writes Mark Edington. That is no longer a workable solution for a pluralistic...

Cognoscenti

Nov 22, 2016

Mark Edington: "We don’t need more weapons to make ourselves safer. We need more places of pilgrimage. And we need to go, not as tourists, but as pilgrims — people willing to be changed." Pictured: A crowd of people in prayer outside the Emanuel AME Church, Friday, June 19, 2015. Nine people were shot to death at the church two days prior. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

From Charleston To Orlando And Beyond: Confronting Our Essential American Sin

I hope Mother Emanuel will become a place of American pilgrimage, one uniquely able to help us confront our essential American sin.

Cognoscenti

Jun 9, 2016

Mark Edington: "The coincidence of our week of remembrance and Resurrection with the horrors of bombs and blood confronts us with a perplexing sorrow." Pictured: A woman places candles in the shape of a heart outside the stock exchange in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

Barbarism Strikes During Holy Week: Can Faith And Love Prevail?

The coincidence of our week of remembrance and Resurrection with the horrors of bombs and blood confronts us with a perplexing sorrow.

Cognoscenti

Mar 22, 2016

Worshippers embrace following a group prayer across the street from the scene of a shooting at Emanuel AME Church, Wednesday, June 17, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. (David Goldman/AP)

In Charleston Shooting, Reason To Reconsider How We Classify Such Crimes

What is the difference between a hate crime and an act of terror?

Cognoscenti

Jun 18, 2015

2014: The Year Of Fear

Reflecting on the heaviness of the top news stories of the year, and evaluating a common link between them.

Cognoscenti

Dec 31, 2014

Mark Edington: "I happily align myself with Archbishop Welby. I claim common cause with anyone brave enough to express their doubts, to see and consider the wisdom of a view other than their own." Pictured: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who recently expressed doubt about the existence of God in a public forum on the BBC. (Ben Curtis/AP)

Where's The Faith? Why Uncertainty Is Something To Believe In

I happily align myself with Archbishop Welby. I claim common cause with anyone brave enough to express their doubts, to see and consider the wisdom of a view other than...

Cognoscenti

Oct 9, 2014