On May 19 we had an exciting and historic bishop election which resulted in the Rev. Carlye J. Hughes being chosen as the XI Bishop of Newark on the first ballot. Before our convention ended, the Secretary of Convention and President of the Standing Committee officially informed the Presiding Bishop’s office of our election. What happens next?
First, our bishop-elect must undergo canonically required medical and psychiatric evaluations that are submitted to the Presiding Bishop’s office. Upon receipt of these evaluations, plus evidence of her prior ordinations and the signed election testimonials from our diocese, the Office of the General Convention will notify our Standing Committee that the process of requesting consents to our election may begin.
Under the canons of The Episcopal Church, all bishop elections must receive written consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of diocesan standing committees. The General Convention office will contact the bishops, while our Standing Committee will contact the various standing committees. We anticipate receiving the necessary consents within about 90 days.
Once the consents are in, the Transition Committee will send formal invitations to attend the service of ordination and consecration, which is scheduled for 11 AM on Saturday, September 22 at NJPAC. All are welcome to attend; find out more.
Two weeks prior to the consecration, on Saturday, September 8, the Transition Committee will hold a luncheon to celebrate the ministry of Bishop Mark Beckwith and his wife Marilyn Olson. Find out more. Additional information about this event will be published in early June.
In addition to arranging for the consents and planning the farewell luncheon and the consecration, the Transition Committee is also assisting Bishop-elect Hughes in her transition to our diocese.
