The Diocese of North Carolina has announced its nominations for the election of its next bishop.

The candidates are: the Rev. Canon J. Neil Alexander, professor of liturgics and homiletics at the School of Theology, the University of the South; the Rev. Michael B. Curry, rector of St. James' Church, Baltimore, Md.; the Rev. Leslie C. Smith, rector of Trinity Church, Princeton, N.J.; and the Rev. Pierre W. Whalon, rector of St. Andrew's, Fort Pierce, Fla. The Rev. Jeffrey H. Walker, rector of Christ Church, Greenwich, Conn., also was nominated, but asked that his name be withdrawn from consideration.

The bishop-elect will succeed the Rt. Rev. Robert C. Johnson, Jr., who will retire before mid-July. Bishop Johnson has served as diocesan since 1994. He cited the "unreasonable and unhealthy pace" of his job as the reason for his resignation.

The election will be held at the diocese's convention Jan. 27-29 in Pinehurst.