One of the duties of the Standing Committee is to consent to the election of bishops in the larger Episcopal Church. This may seem simple, and it often is. Other times, the conversation is more complex. As a body, we consider both the importance of supporting/ratifying decisions made by our brothers and sisters in other dioceses and the impact of these decisions on The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Recently, the Diocese of Los Angeles elected the Rev. Mary Glasspool as bishop suffragan. A bishop suffragan is an assistant to the bishop diocesan, and does not have the right of succession. The Standing Committee in each Episcopal diocese has been asked to grant its consent to this election and given 120 days to respond.
We began our prayerful deliberation of this consent at our January meeting. While the details of the discussion are private, it is important to share something about our process. Together, we are committed to thoughtful, respectful, faithful discussion. In this election, there are complexities that will touch all of us. After an initial discussion in January, we agreed to give ourselves the gift of time and the matter was tabled. At our meeting on February 23, the discussion was reopened. Once again, we reiterated our commitment to thoughtful, respectful, faithful discussion. After a substantial conversation, the question was called. While the vote was not easy, quickly taken, or unanimous, we voted to grant our consent to the election of the Rev. Mary Glasspool.
The consent process continues; no bishops are ordained and consecrated without the consent of a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses, and the consent of a majority of the Bishops of this Church exercising jurisdiction.
The conversations leading up to the decision were all that we could hope for in terms of faithful interaction and commitment to real, respectful exchange.
Although, as noted above, we were not unanimous in our decision to consent to the consecration of Mary Glasspool, we were, and are, unanimous in our desire to continue this pattern of conversation.
Jane Klieve, President
Standing Committee of the Diocese of Missouri
Part of our governance as a church is our national Constitution and Canons, and diocesan Constitution and Canons. Every three years at General Convention the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies consider and enact changes to this governing document. More information about Bishops: their elections, the consent process and and their jurisdiction is in our national C&C, Article II.
Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, 2009
Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 2-2009
More information on the diocesan Standing Committee
