The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Los Angeles, mindful that the seventh bishop of Los Angeles, the Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, will reach the church’s mandatory retirement age in 2026, has called for the election of a bishop coadjutor at the 2025 meeting of Diocesan Convention.

On August 13, 2024, Bishop Taylor issued the following letter, announcing the coming election and outlining the search process.

Additional information is after the bishop’s letter:

A message from the Standing Committee

A timeline for the election

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions

The Episcopal News Update (subscribe here) will report on the search as progress is made. News also will be posted on this page.

The bishop’s letter appears in Spanish after the English text.
La carta del obispo aparece en español después del texto en inglés.

August 13, 2024

My siblings in Christ:

Isaiah writes this: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” [43:19].

Vocalizing the promise of our gracious God, the prophet manages to address whatever we may be worried about. Illness or a job crisis. Politics and climate change. And also transitions in leadership. In the name of Christ and in thanksgiving for the ministry we share in the Diocese of Los Angeles, it is my blessing to acknowledge the Standing Committee’s call for the election of a bishop coadjutor at our annual convention in Riverside in November 2025. The eighth bishop of Los Angeles will assume their duties in the summer of 2026, in anticipation of my retirement that October at age 72, as required by the church’s canons.

The transition process began in June, when the Standing Committee, under the leadership of its president, the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, met with the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, bishop for pastoral development in Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s office. Earlier this month, the committee appointed Judy Stark as search consultant. A lay leader in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and a former newspaper editor and reporter, Judy has provided consulting services in over 20 bishop searches.

In the days ahead, the Standing Committee will announce the names of the search committee. From that point forward, the search committee will take responsibility for reporting on its progress. But I can give you the key details now.

This autumn and Advent, the committee will prepare a diocesan profile. In winter, it will publish the profile and call for nominations. From springtime through summer 2025, it will review candidate files, conduct interviews, and invite the finalists to a retreat. The search committee will announce a slate of candidates in early autumn, allowing time for petition candidates under the canons. Members of the diocese will have a chance to meet the candidates at a series of town meetings.

With an election in November 2025, we expect that the bishop coadjutor will be prepared to take up their duties in May 2026, affording them and me an opportunity to work together until the consecration and ordination of the new bishop and passing of the crozier on July 11, 2026. I will remain as a consultant until September and then begin a sabbatical that will take me through my October retirement.

Once we have our slate of candidates, the search committee will pass the baton to a transition committee, also appointed by the Standing Committee. The transition committee will be responsible for the town meetings, the consecration service, and hospitality to the candidates, the new bishop and their family, and Kathy and me.

Wherever and however this news reaches you, I imagine it provokes emotions akin to those I feel as I write. During all our transitions, we can be anxious, joyful, and sometimes both at the same time. Transitions in life embody some of the substance of the way of the cross. But fear not. The touchstone of our faith is the proximity of our risen savior, making all things new all the time. Isaiah invites us to wade in the living streams of God’s never-ending creative work. It has been my blessing to walk along this grace-drenched way with you, and I will relish each day of the two years I have left as your bishop.

Yours in Christ’s love,

The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor
VII Bishop of Los Angeles

13 de agosto del 2024

Mis hermanas y hermanos en Cristo:

Isaías escribe: “Yo voy a hacer algo nuevo, y verás que ahora mismo va a aparecer. Voy a abrir un camino en el desierto y ríos en la tierra estéril.” [43:19].

Vocalizando la promesa de nuestro Dios de Gracia, el profeta logra abordar sea lo que sea que nos esté preocupando. Una enfermedad o una crisis laboral. Un cambio político o climático. Y también transiciones de liderazgo. En el nombre de Cristo y en agradecimiento al ministerio compartido en la Diócesis de Los Ángeles, es mi bendición reconocer el llamado hecho por la Junta Diocesana para la elección de un obispo coadjutor en nuestra convención anual diocesana en Riverside en noviembre del 2025. El octavo obispo de Los Ángeles asumirá sus responsabilidades en el verano del 2026, en anticipación a mi jubilación en ese mes de octubre a la edad de 72 años, como los cánones de la iglesia requieren.

El proceso de transición inició en junio, cuando la Junta Diocesana, bajo el liderazgo de su presidente, el Rev. Lester Mackenzie, se reunió con el Rvdmo. Todd Ousley, obispo para el desarrollo pastoral de la oficina del Obispo Primado Michael Curry. A principio de este mes, el comité nombró a Judy Stark como asesora de la búsqueda. Una líder laica en la Diócesis del Suroeste de la Florida y anteriormente editora y reportera para un periódico, Judy ha proporcionado servicios de asesoría en más de 20 búsquedas de obispo.

En los próximos días, la Junta Diocesana estará anunciando los nombres de los miembros del comité de búsqueda. Y a partir de ese momento, el comité de búsqueda tomará responsabilidad de reportar su progreso. Pero ahora puedo compartir con ustedes algunos detalles claves.

En este otoño y Adviento, el comité preparará un perfil diocesano. En el invierno, publicará el perfil y llamará a nominaciones. A partir de la primavera hasta el verano del 2025, revisará los perfiles de los candidatos, e invitará a los finalistas a participar en un retiro. El comité de búsqueda anunciará una lista de candidatos a principios del otoño, dando tiempo para la petición de candidatos bajo los cánones. Miembros de la diócesis tendrán la oportunidad de conocer a los candidatos en una serie de reuniones públicas.

Teniendo una elección en noviembre del 2025, esperamos que el obispo coadjutor pueda ser preparado para ejercer sus responsabilidades en mayo del 2026, proporcionándole a él/ella y a mí la oportunidad de trabajar juntos hasta la consagración y ordenación del nuevo obispo y el traspaso del báculo diocesano el 11 de julio del 2026. Yo permaneceré como asesor hasta septiembre y luego iniciaré mi sabático que terminará con mi retiro en octubre.

Una vez que tengamos una lista de candidatos, el comité de búsqueda pasará la batuta al comité de transición, que será nombrado por la Junta Diocesana. El comité de transición será responsable de las reuniones públicas, el servicio de consagración, y la hospitalidad tanto para los candidatos, el nuevo obispo y su familia, como para Kathy y para mí.

En donde sea y como sea que esta noticia le llegue, me imagino que incitará emociones parecidas a las que yo siento al escribir esta carta. Durante todas nuestras transiciones, podemos experimentar ansiedad y gozo y a veces las dos cosas al mismo tiempo. Las transiciones en nuestra vida personifican un poco la esencia de la vía de la cruz. Pero no teman. La piedra angular de nuestra fe es la cercanía de nuestro Salvador Resucitado, que constantemente lo renueva todo. Isaías nos invita a caminar por los arroyos de agua viva de la obra creativa de Dios que no tiene fin. Ha sido para mí una bendición el caminar junto a ustedes esos arroyos de gracia y disfrutaré cada día de los dos años que me quedan como su obispo.

Suyo en el amor de Cristo,

El Reverendísimo John Harvey Taylor
VII Obispo de Los Angeles

A message from the Standing Committee

Dear Beloved of the Diocese of Los Angeles,

Grace and peace to you in Christ. As we embark on the journey toward electing the 8th Bishop of Los Angeles, we offer our deep gratitude for the ministry of Bishop John H. Taylor and the loving support of his family. As he approaches retirement, may God’s presence continue to bless and guide them.

We ask for your prayers as we discern our next bishop, that the Holy Spirit will open our hearts to God’s will and guide all who participate in this process. May our new bishop lead with compassion, justice, and love.

Please join us in praying for our diocese, for Bishop Taylor and his family, our diocesan staff and for all involved in this sacred work.

Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, page 818

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, and those who offer themselves as candidates, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Diocese of Los Angeles in a Time of Episcopal Transition

Loving God, we thank you for the faithful ministry of Bishop John H. Taylor and for the love and support of his family. As they prepare for retirement, bless them with your peace.

Guide us in the election of our new bishop, that they may lead with compassion, justice, and love. May we all honor the rich diversity of our diocese, spanning ten deaneries across six counties, and the sacred heritage of this land, originally stewarded by the Tongva, Chumash, and other Indigenous peoples.

In the face of challenges like racial injustice, economic disparity, and climate change, grant us wisdom and courage. May our new bishop inspire us to serve together, rooted in the Gospel’s call to love all people.

We lift up the ministry of all who are baptized in this diocese, whose faith sustains us. As we move forward, may we embrace the future with faith, knowing you are ever making a way in the wilderness. Through Christ, our Savior. Amen.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Los Angeles
The Rev. Lester V. Mackenzie, President 2024

Timeline for the election of the eighth bishop of Los Angeles

June 2024: The Standing Committee, led by the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, begins the transition process and meets with the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley to initiate the search for a bishop coadjutor.

August 2024: Judy Stark is appointed as the search consultant to guide the bishop election process.

Autumn & Advent 2024: The Search Committee prepares the diocesan profile to provide a comprehensive overview of the diocese.

Winter 2024/2025: The diocesan profile is published, and the call for nominations for bishop candidates is announced.

Spring & Summer 2025: The Search Committee reviews candidate files, conducts interviews, and invites finalists to a discernment retreat.

Early Autumn 2025: The slate of candidates is announced, and the period for petition candidates opens under the canons and constitutions.

Autumn 2025: Town meetings are held across the diocese to introduce the candidates to the members of the diocese.

November 2025: The election of the bishop coadjutor takes place during the annual diocesan convention in Riverside.

May 2026: The bishop coadjutor begins their duties, working alongside the current bishop.

July 11, 2026: Consecration and ordination of the new bishop, followed by the passing of the crozier.

July-September 2026: The current bishop remains as a consultant, providing support during the transition.

October 2026: The current bishop retires, marking the official beginning of the new bishop’s leadership in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

FAQ for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles bishop coadjutor election

1. What is the role of a Bishop Coadjutor?

A Bishop Coadjutor is elected to assist the current Diocesan Bishop and automatically succeeds them upon retirement or resignation. The Coadjutor usually serves no more than three years before transitioning to full Episcopal leadership.

2. How are nominees selected for the election?

Nominees undergo a thorough discernment process, which includes consultations with diocesan members and a comprehensive evaluation. The final slate is presented to the Standing Committee for approval.

3. What is the next step in the process?

In the weeks ahead, a Search Committee will be formed to lead the discernment and nomination process. This committee will include representatives from across the diocese, and details on how to get involved will be shared soon. Please watch for updates and consider whether you may be called to serve on this important committee.

We appreciate your interest and patience as we move through this sacred process. More detailed information will be shared in The Episcopal News Update and on this page as it becomes available.