In the next four months – January 1, 2011 to April 30 – The Episcopal Church will witness the consecrations of four bishops, the election of one bishop, and the canonical consent processes for four bishops-elect with one canonical consent process not yet underway.

Consecrations

Four consecrations of bishops, all still pending successful completion of the canonical consent process, are slated for January to April. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori plans to officiate at all the consecrations.

February 19: Diocese of Western Kansas: the Rev. Michael Pierce Milliken http://www.westernkansasepiscopal.com/

March 5: Diocese of West Missouri: the Very Rev. Martin Scott Field http://www.diowestmo.org/home0.aspx

March 19: Diocese of Springfield: the Rev. Daniel Hayden Martins http://www.episcopalspringfield.org/

April 30: Diocese of Western New York: the Rev. William Franklin http://www.episcopalwny.org/

Elections

During January to April, one bishop election is scheduled:

February 12: Diocese of East Tennessee http://www.etdiocese.net/

Canonical Consent Process

The canonical consent process is currently underway for four bishops-elect and the canonical process has not begun for one bishop-elect. The deadlines are:

February 8: Diocese of Western Kansas: the Rev. Michael Pierce Milliken, elected August 21: http://www.westernkansasepiscopal.com/

February 16: Diocese of Springfield: the Rev. Daniel Hayden Martins, elected September 18: http://www.episcopalspringfield.org/

April 7: Diocese of West Missouri: the Very Rev. Martin Scott Field, elected November 6: http://www.diowestmo.org/home0.aspx

April 15: Diocese of Western New York: the Rev. William Franklin, elected November 20: http://www.episcopalwny.org/

The canonical consent process has not started for the following:

Diocese of Northern Michigan: the Rev. Rayford Ray elected December 4: http://www.upepiscopal.org

A recap of the process

Upon election, the successful candidate is a Bishop-Elect. Following some procedural matters including examinations, formal notices are then sent to bishops with jurisdiction (diocesan bishops only) with separate notices to the standing committees of each of the dioceses in The Episcopal Church. These notices require their own actions and signatures.

In order for a Bishop-Elect to become a bishop, under Cannon III.11.4, 6 of The Episcopal Church, a majority of bishops with jurisdiction AND the majority of diocesan standing committees must consent to the bishop-elect”s ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election. These actions are done separately.

Once the Presiding Bishop receives the necessary consents, she shall “without delay” notify the electing diocese and the bishop-elect without waiting for the expiration of the 120-day period, and “shall,” upon acceptance of the election by the bishop-elect, “take order for the ordination.”

However, if the majority of the diocesan bishops do not consent, and/or the majority of the standing committees do not consent, the Presiding Bishop, in accordance with Canon III.11.5, is required to declare the election null and void. In those cases, a person elected by the diocese will not be ordained.

(See When Is A Bishop A Bishop?: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/newsline_116177_ENG_HTM.htm )

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Diocese of East Tennessee: http://www.etdiocese.net/

Diocese of Northern Michigan: http://www.upepiscopal.org

Diocese of Springfield: http://www.episcopalspringfield.org/

Diocese of West Missouri: http://www.diowestmo.org

Diocese of Western Kansas: http://www.westernkansasepiscopal.com/

Diocese of Western New York http://www.episcopalwny.org/

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

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