SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawrence consecration as bishop set for January 26
Episcopal News Service. January 23, 2008 [012308-06]
Mary Frances Schjonberg, Rev. Lisa B. Hamilton, Correspondent for Episcopal Life Media in Provinces I and IV
Episcopalians and ecumenical guests from throughout the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and beyond will gather January 26 for the ordination and consecration of the Rev. Mark Joseph Lawrence as bishop.
East Carolina Bishop E. Clifton Daniel, president of the Episcopal Church's Province IV, will be the chief consecrator during the service which will begin at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston.
Co-consecrating bishops will include: Edward L. Salmon Jr., 13th bishop of South Carolina; C. FitzSimons Allison, 12th bishop of South Carolina; Michael Scott-Joynt of Winchester, England; Keith Ackerman of Quincy; and Julio Holguin of the Dominican Republic.
Other international guests expected to attend are Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi of Jos, Nigeria, and Bishop Tony Burton of Saskatchewan, Canada.
The Rt. Rev. Alden Hathaway, former bishop of Pittsburgh and now bishop-in-residence at St. Helena's in Beaufort, South Carolina, will preach.
The Very Rev. William McKeachie, dean of the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, said he is looking forward to a "thrilling opportunity" for worship and celebration. "With all that Mark Lawrence has been put though in the process of two elections and the ensuing confirmations, it seems that he has become more holy, happy, healthy, and good-humored than ever before," he said.
Lawrence, 57, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bakersfield, California, in the Diocese of San Joaquin, was first elected September 16, 2006 to be South Carolina's 14th bishop.
In the weeks following that election, questions arose about Lawrence's intentions concerning the diocese's continuing membership in the Episcopal Church. Some diocesan standing committees announced their intention not to consent, and some publicized their decisions.
On March 15, 2007, Jefferts Schori declared that election "null and void," saying that a number of the consent responses did not adhere to canonical requirements and thus Lawrence's election did not receive the consent of the majority of diocesan standing committees.
Lawrence was re-elected as South Carolina's bishop on August 4, 2007 at a special electing convention. He was the only candidate in the election.
Jefferts Schori announced October 29, 2007 that Lawrence had received the consents needed for him to become the next bishop of South Carolina.
The Rev. Canon Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop, confirmed that Jefferts Schori has been invited to visit the Diocese of South Carolina in February. He added that the agenda was currently being finalized.
Lawrence was born in Bakersfield, California, on March 19, 1950. He was educated at California State University, Bakersfield (BA, 1976) and Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry (M. Div. 1980). He has served at Church of the Holy Family, Fresno, California (1980); St. Mark's, Shafter, California (1981-1984); St. Stephen's, McKeesport, Pennsylvania (1984-1997); and St. Paul's, Bakersfield, California (1997-2008). Lawrence also served as a member of the Diocese of San Joaquin's Commission on Ministry, the Standing Committee, and the Board of Examining Chaplains, the latter of which he chaired. He also served as a deputy to the General Conventions of 2003 and 2006.
Lawrence is married to the former Allison Kathleen Taylor and they have five children and six grandchildren.
South Carolina has been without a diocesan bishop since Salmon reached the mandatory retirement age of 72 in January 2006. He has continued to serve as acting bishop at the invitation of the South Carolina Standing Committee.
The Diocese of South Carolina includes 75 parishes and missions in the lower half of the state of South Carolina.