This is the first in a series of question-and-answer columns from the Bishop Search Committee. Wondering what’s going on? Looking for details? Ask the committee by submitting questions here.
Q. I know somebody who’d make a great bishop for our diocese. How can I submit their name?
A. This is just the sort of question we love to hear! When the profile goes public in early June, it will contain application and nomination forms. Candidates can nominate themselves, or you can nominate someone. We urge you to send the profile to the person you have in mind so they can study it and see if they feel a call to our diocese. If they do, you can fill in the paperwork to nominate them. Then the Search Committee will reach out to them directly.
We urge everyone to start thinking about potential candidates. Don’t hold back! The more candidates and the richer the candidate pool, the better the final slate.
Q. We know the slate of candidates will be announced in September. Will there be a petition period for other candidates as well?
A. Yes. On the day the slate is announced we will open a one-week petition period during which additional candidates can come forward. We’ll have details closer to that time about how to be a petition candidate.
Petition candidates must submit all the same materials as the slate candidates and must undergo the same background and reference checks. It’s not a way for a rogue candidate to sneak in through the back door, unvetted.
We no longer allow nominations from the floor on election day. The petition process stands in for floor nominations so that candidates can be thoroughly vetted before the election and can participate in the meet-and-greets and other activities along with the slate candidates.
There is nothing in the canons of either The Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles that requires a petition period. It is a local option. Some dioceses do not offer a petition period. Given the history of the diocese — the last two bishops were petitioners — it would be hard not to offer this option.
Q. The Standing Committee is seeking members of a Transitions Committee. Will there be a Consecration Committee as well?
A. Yes. Let’s talk first about the Transitions Committee. This is the group that will introduce the candidates to the diocese — and the diocese to the candidates — through (among other things) a series of in-person meetings called meet-and-greets all around the diocese the week of October 20. Exact times and locations will follow. The application paperwork will be available beginning Friday, March 21, and the deadline for applications is April 11.
Transitions Committee members will also assist with the election and will take on the hospitality functions of the consecration weekend in July 2026.
Now, the Consecration Committee: The Standing Committee will create a Consecration Committee that will be responsible for the liturgical activities of the consecration weekend. Working with the Presiding Bishop’s Office, the Consecration Committee will plan the service. The exact makeup of that committee has not been decided yet.
There is nothing in the canons of our diocese that requires the formation of three committees — Search, Transitions, and Consecration — but this is what we’ve done in the past, as have many other dioceses, and it seems to be a good model.
There are lots of moving parts to an election/consecration process and the Standing Committee is addressing them one by one. We’re glad to know there is so much interest. We’ll need lots of volunteers to make these events run smoothly and we look forward to your participation.