About Bishops…
We Episcopalians know that our very denomination means “of or relating to a bishop”. “Episcopal” is derived from the Greek episkopos, one who watches over, an “overseer”. In our governance, a bishop oversees a diocese and the Presiding Bishop oversees The Episcopal Church.
Our catechism reminds us that the “ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the word of God, to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.” (BCP, p.855)
Our diocese is in the process of searching for a new diocesan bishop. The profile names these qualities for the next bishop ( https://www.albishopsearch.org/bishop-we-seek )
• The Heart of a Pastor
• Presence Among Us
• Grounded in Scripture
• Vision
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Gracious Leadership
• Sound Stewardship
The House of Bishops gathers twice a year. Earlier this year they enjoyed Alabama hospitality at Camp McDowell. The Diocese of Alabama is in Province IV. Last week the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic (Province IX) welcomed them with joy and celebration of their culture.
On September 18, a friend and colleague becomes the Bishop of Cuba (Province II). Angel Rivera and I served together on the board of the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN). GEMN colleagues and I will join many others in Havana to celebrate the consecration to bishop of this humble servant of Christ.
Since Bishops are Chief Pastors (their crozier reminds us of this), I offer this prayer for Pastors from Prayers for the Pilgrimage (p. 107).
O Lord, you who are the true Shepherd, we pray for the shepherds of your church today: be with them in their hour of need, keep them from evil, restore them, feed them, and guide them, so that their joy may be renewed in the work that you have assigned to them by grace. We pray this in the name of the Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ himself. Amen.
God’s peace, Judy Q+
