The Rt. Rev. Allen L. Bartlett, Jr., Bishop of Pennsylvania, told his diocesan convention he will retire by May 15, 1998, when that body met Nov. 7-8 at the Cathedral of the Saviour in Philadelphia. Bishop Bartlett has been diocesan for the past 12 years and will be succeeded by the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr., bishop coadjutor.

Bishop Bennison addressed convention and spoke of his eight months of visiting congregations in Pennsylvania. "I can report that the Episcopal Church is alive and well in the Diocese of Pennsylvania," he said. "On many Sunday mornings I have a tremendous sense of deja vu of the church of my childhood as I see pews filled to overflowing with mother and dad and their three or four young children."

The Rt. Rev. Franklin D. Turner, suffragan bishop, challenged delegates to help the diocese increase its membership of 65,000 by 10 percent. He also urged that increased support be given to youth ministry and young adult ministry, and that steps be taken to halt the decline in the number of black clergy.

Among the guests at convention were five members of Pennsylvania's companion diocese, Guatemala.

A budget of about $2.4 million was adopted, and new clergy compensation guidelines were accepted.