Episcopal Press and News
Two bishops-elect receive church's consent for ordination
Episcopal News Service. February 11, 2011 [021111-03]
ENS staff
Bishops-elect in the dioceses of West Missouri and Western New York have received the required consent of the wider Episcopal Church for their ordinations and consecrations.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's office Feb. 11 announced successful consent processes for the Rev. Martin Scott Field, bishop-elect in West Missouri, and the Rev. William Franklin in Western New York.
Field was elected Nov. 6 as the eighth bishop of West Missouri. His ordination and consecration is set for March 5.
Franklin was elected Nov. 20 to be the 11th bishop of Western New York. His ordination and consecration is set for April 30.
Jefferts Schori will preside and be the chief consecrator for both men, according to press releases posted here.
Under the canons of the Episcopal Church (III.11.4), a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to a bishop-elect's ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.
As outlined under Canon III.11.4 (a) for every bishop election, the presiding bishop confirms the receipt of consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction, and reviews the evidence of consents from diocesan standing committees sent to her by the standing committee of the electing diocese.
In Canon III.11.4 (b), standing committees, in consenting to ordination and consecration, attest they are "fully sensible of how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ."
The canons do not specify the wording that bishops must use to give their consent, other than to say in Canon III.11.4 (a) that the presiding bishop requests of each bishop with jurisdiction "a statement of consent or withholding of consent."
The consent process begins after post-election procedural matters, including physical and psychological examinations, have been completed and formal notices are sent by the presiding bishop's office to bishops with jurisdiction, with separate notices from the electing diocese to the standing committees of each of the dioceses in the Episcopal Church.
While Field and Franklin have received the necessary majority of consents, consents will continue to be accepted up to and including the deadline, April 7 for Field and April 15 for Franklin, according to the releases.