The JNCPB is composed of 20 people. Five bishops were elected by the House of Bishops, and five clergy and five lay people were elected by the House of Deputies (Canon I.2.1.a). Two members between ages 16-21 were appointed by the president of the House of Deputies (Canon I.2.1.a). Three members were jointly appointed by the presiding bishop and House of Deputies president to ensure the cultural and geographic diversity of the church and skillsets needed for effective service on the committee (Canon I.2.1.c). The members serve a three-year term that concludes with the close of 81st General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Process for the Election of the 28th Presiding Bishop at General Convention
On April 2, 2024, after two-and-one-half years of work, the JNCPB announced the names of its four nominees to stand for election at the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky, from June 23 to 28.
They are:
Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska Bishop J. Scott Barker
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez
Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe (who also serves as bishop provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York)
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright.
Episcopal Diocese of Central New York Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe joined the slate on April 16 as a nominee by petition.
Click here for information about the nominees.
June 21
The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop will host a “Meet the Nominees” event at the Marriott Commonwealth Grand Ballroom (280 W. Jefferson St.) on Friday, June 21, from 4-6 p.m. EDT. A livestream will be available here. The session will later be available for on-demand viewing
After video introductions of each nominee, the nominees will respond to questions prepared by the committee. Questions will be drawn randomly from five categories: diversity, inclusion and equity; leadership and administration; reconciliation; spiritual and self-care; and care of creation. The nominees will be allotted three minutes for each response.
June 25
On Tuesday, June 25, the JNCPB will formally present the nominees during a joint session of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies “for the consideration of the two Houses in the choice of a Presiding Bishop” (Canon 1.2.1.g). There will be no other nominations from the floor. The joint session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon EDT. A livestream will be available here.
June 26
Following the Convention Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, bishops with seat, voice, and vote will gather at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in Louisville for the election. The bishops cast ballots until a presiding bishop is elected “by a vote of a majority of all bishops, excluding retired bishops not present, except that whenever two-thirds of the House of Bishops are present a majority vote shall suffice” (Constitution I.3).
Once there is an election, the current presiding bishop sends a delegation from the House of Bishops to report the result to the president of the House of Deputies, including the number of votes cast for each nominee on each ballot. The House of Deputies must vote to confirm or not to confirm such choice of presiding bishop (Canon 1.2.1.g).
Before doing so, the president of the House of Deputies refers the name to the House of Deputies legislative committee on the Confirmation of the Election of the Presiding Bishop without announcing the name to the House of Deputies. The legislative committee, chaired by Deputy Tess Judge of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, will then meet to adopt a report and resolution to present to the House of Deputies on whether to confirm the choice of the House of Bishops. The House of Deputies will receive the report and proceed to vote on the recommendation. At the conclusion of the vote of the House of Deputies, the president of the House of Deputies will appoint a delegation from the House of Deputies to notify the House of Bishops of the action taken. The bishops remain in the cathedral and must refrain from any communication outside the cathedral throughout the election and until the confirmation is received.
Once the House of Bishops receives the confirmation, the presiding bishop-elect, at the invitation of the president of House of Deputies, is then presented to the House of Deputies, along with family members present at the convention, and may address the house.
June 28
The presiding bishop-elect will be the preacher at the closing General Convention Eucharist on Friday, June 28, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. A livestream will be available here. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be the presider.
Nov. 1
The Presiding Bishop takes office on Nov. 1, 2024. Details about that transition and celebration will be announced after General Convention.
Should you have any questions or comments about these essays or the work of the JNCPB, please contact [email protected].
Follow the committee on the following social media sites:
Facebook: facebook.com/PB28Nominations
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