Episcopal Press and News

CHICAGO: Committee extends bishop nomination deadline

Episcopal News Service. January 24, 2007 [012407-04]

The Bishop Search Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has extended the deadline for receiving nominations for its next bishop until February 28.

In a January 23 diocesan news release, the committee said the deadline is three weeks later than the original deadline of February 5.

In a letter sent to prospects and nominees, the committee said it extended the deadline to allow more time for candidates to complete and submit the nomination forms and essay answers, according to the release.

"The holiday season followed by January preparation for annual meetings has presented a scheduling challenge for qualified candidates," said the committee in its letter.

The final slate of nominees, according [to] the Standing Committee's charge to the Search Committee, will have three to six candidates.

Nomination by petition requirements will be announced by the committee August 1 and petitions will be received August 28 through September 11.

The election of the successor to Bishop William Persell will be held November 10 during the diocese's annual convention November 9 and 10 in Wheeling, Illinois.

The entire process is web-based with the diocesan profile available both online at http://www.bishopforchicago.org/ and in downloadable PDF format accessed from the same address. The committee is accepting both self-nominated and third-party nominated clergy.

If the necessary consents are received from the church's bishops and standing committees, the bishop-elect will be consecrated or invested on Saturday, February 2, 2008.

The Diocese of Chicago comprises about 44,000 Episcopalians worshipping in 130 congregations in 22 counties in northern Illinois.