Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori today has notified the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan that the necessary consents to the ordination and consecration of a bishop were not received within the prescribed time period, thereby declaring the election “null and void.”

The Presiding Bishop”s letter follows:

__________________

July 27, 2009

Linda Piper

President, Standing Committee

Diocese of Northern Michigan

Dear Linda,

As Presiding Bishop, and in accordance with Canon III.11.5, I am writing to inform you that I have not received from a majority of the Standing Committees of the dioceses consent to the ordination of the bishop-elect within the required 120 days.

Therefore I am declaring the election null and void and with this letter hereby giving notice to the Standing Committee of the diocese and to the bishop-elect.

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

cc: The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester

The Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews, Bishop for Pastoral Development

The Rev. Canon Gregory Straub, Secretary of the General Convention

The letter was sent via email and U. S. Post Office mail.

The Episcopal Church, with 110 dioceses in 16 nations, is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

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