Presiding Bishop Nominees will not be Announced in Advance
Diocesan Press Service. June 25, 1973 [73157]
RICHMOND, VA. -- Names of the nominees for Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church will not be released to the public until after the final election next October, Bishop Robert F. Gibson of Virginia announced June 15.
Gibson is chairman of a committee to nominate three men for the highest post in the Episcopal Church, to replace Presiding Bishop John E. Hines, who has announced he will retire in June, 1974.
Speculation has been widespread throughout the church on a successor to Hines, who has led the church since 1965.
The nominating committee includes four lay people and five clergy, in addition to nine bishops, but only the church's House of Bishops will eventually participate in the election.
Gibson said it had become clear to him and other members of the committee that many Episcopal clergy and lay people expected to know the names of the committee's nominees before the General Convention meets in Louisville, Ky., at the end of September.
"The misunderstanding is justified," he said, The House of Bishops asked publicly for suggestions for the new leader from all Episcopalians, and received "many."
"When you ask for public suggestions," he said, "the public expects a report back."
Under the present rules of the House of Bishops, however, no nominations may be made public before the election.
Then, when the bishops have reached a decision, they must ask the clergy and lay deputies attending the Convention to confirm the election. Only after confirmation may they reveal the unsuccessful nominees.
The nominating committee has recommended that the Presiding Bishop's election be held October 4, on the morning following a special concert in Bishop Hines' honor, Gibson revealed.
His announcement followed on the heels of several widely circulated reports in conservative Episcopal publications purporting to give lists of the top contenders for the office.
The Virginia bishop says that the committee has "not yet reached any final decisions" on the three nominees they will submit, but will do so when they meet at the General Convention.