OKLAHOMA: Candidates for bishop announced
Episcopal News Service. March 3, 2007 [030307-02]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
The nominating committee for a new bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma has announced a slate of five men.
The person elected will succeed Robert Moody, 67, who has been Oklahoma's bishop since 1989.
The five nominees are:
- the Very Rev. James Mark Goodman, 48, rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Diocese of South Carolina;
- the Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, 52, rector, St. Matthew's Church, Grand Junction, Colorado, Diocese of Colorado;
- the Rev. James C. Nelson, 57, rector, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Friendswood, Texas, Diocese of Texas;
- the Rev. Dr. Ronald Dennis Pogue, 59, rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Galveston, Texas, Diocese of Texas; and
- the Rev. Dr. J. Wesley Smith, 53, rector, Christ Episcopal Church, Macon, Georgia, Diocese of Atlanta.
Additional nominations by petition can be made until March 15.
The electing convention is set for May 5 at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oklahoma City.
The canons of the Episcopal Church (III.11.4(a) require that a majority of the bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees respond within 120 days of receiving notice of his or her election, saying whether or not they consent to the Bishop-elect's ordination.
The consecration will take place September 15 in the Oklahoma City University Freede Wellness Center.
The Diocese of Oklahoma comprises about 17,700 Episcopalians worshipping in 69 congregations.