The Governance of The Episcopal Church: This information is another in an ongoing series discussing the governance of The Episcopal Church. Also, Episcopal Church lingo and terms are used; check the websites listed at the end for any necessary explanations.

In the next four months — May 1 to August 31 – the Episcopal Church will witness the consecrations of two bishops, the election of three bishops, and the canonical consent process for one bishop-elect.

Consecrations

Two consecrations of bishops, one pending a successful canonical consent process, are slated for May to August. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will officiate at all the consecrations.

May 21: Diocese of Northern Michigan: the Rev. Rayford Ray elected December 4, 2010: http://www.upepiscopal.org

June 25: Diocese of East Tennessee: the Rev. George D. Young, III, elected February 12: http://www.etdiocese.net/

Elections

During May to August, three bishop elections are scheduled:

June 4: Diocese of Nebraska http://www.episcopal-ne.org/

June 18: Diocese of Washington www.edow.org

July 16: Diocese of Alabama www.dioala.org/

Canonical Consent Process

The canonical consent process is currently underway for one bishop-elect. The deadline is:

July 9: Diocese of East Tennessee: the Rev. George D. Young, III, elected February 12 http://www.etdiocese.net/

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.

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

Diocese of Alabama: www.dioala.org/

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

Diocese of Nebraska http://www.episcopal-ne.org/

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

Diocese of Washington: www.edow.org

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Twitter: twitter.com/iamepiscopalian

YouTube: www.youtube.com/TECtube