Bishop Smith to Lead the Diocese of Southern Ohio
The Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri, is coming out of retirement to accept a call to serve as the Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. He is expected to begin his new position August 15, 2021.
Bishop Smith retired from his position in the Diocese of Missouri on April 30, 2020, after 18 years of leadership (2002-2020).
“It feels pretty comfortable,” said Bishop Smith. “I am glad for the opportunity and glad for the challenge.”
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal, the Ninth Bishop of Southern Ohio, resigned his position Nov. 29, 2019, for personal and health reasons. The diocese will hold an online special convention on Saturday, July 17, to officially name Bishop Smith as their provisional bishop.
A provisional bishop has the same ecclesiastical authority and status as a diocesan bishop, but serves for a time-limited period. This position is expected to last about two years.
“I can’t do everything in two years, but I can at least set a direction in that time,” Smith said.
The Diocese of Southern Ohio is made up of 73 churches, with more than 18,000 members in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and in farm towns, county seats and suburban centers across the southern half of the state.
Bishop Smith and his wife, Debra Morris Smith, plan to keep their home in the St. Louis area. They are planning to also get an apartment in Cincinnati, where Bishop Smith will spend most of his time. Debbie will likely spend most of her time in St. Louis, with the bishop returning home for visits about every other month.
After this transitional service is completed, Bishop Smith says he’ll likely retire -- for good, this time.
We wish all the best to Bishop Wayne and his wife Debbie, as they begin this new chapter of service in The Episcopal Church.
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