Pausing on the Capitol steps, with tourists and children from school groups chattering and scampering about nearby, he took time for some reflection on his Washington immersion. I think people are really interested in bringing the faith experience to complex issues. I also think that people are very cynical about government and see this place as one of corruption, and so they are sort of fascinated by the fact that somebody from a monastery, and a bishop, would come wading into this. In fact, I don't think that's the reality of Washington at all. His church experience brought him to Washington with an open mind, he said.
People say that it's terrible to be a bishop.
Well, it's not actually. There are a lot of wonderful things about it. People say the church is divided, and that's just not the case. With that background, I thought, maybe it will be pretty different in Washington than the popular conception. I really have been much more impressed with what goes on here and with what people are trying to do than I thought I would be.