Search Committee Nominees for Election as 8th Bishop of Los Angeles
The Rev. Dr. Antonio Gallardo
Rector, St. Luke’s/San Lucas, Long Beach
The Rev. Monica Burns Mainwaring
Rector, St. Martin in the Fields, Atlanta
The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy
Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Petition candidate procedure
The process by which clergy members can petition to become candidates for the election of the eighth bishop of Los Angeles was announced Sept. 5 by the Rev. Dr. Kate Cress, president of the Standing Committee.
Petition applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 12, and must be received by Sept. 19, 6 p.m. PST. The election of the eighth bishop of Los Angeles will take place at the Nov. 7-8 meeting of Diocesan Convention in Riverside.
Those applying to become petition candidates must fill out the application, here, and sign the Signatory Petition Form, here.
Read the message from Cress here.
Bishop nominee meet-and-greet gatherings
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. All welcome. St. Columba’s Parish, 1251 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo 93010 (Zoom link will be provided.)
Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Session 1: 1 p.m. Clergy only. St. Paul’s Commons, 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles 90026 (No Zoom link will be available.)
- Session 2: 7 p.m. All welcome (Spanish-language translation available). Christ the Good Shepherd Parish 3303 W. Vernon Ave., Los Angeles 90008 (Zoom link will be provided.)
Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. All welcome. All Saints’ Parish, 3847 Terracina Drive, Riverside 92506 (Zoom link will be provided.)
Friday, Oct. 24
- Session 1: 1 p.m. Clergy only. Church of the Messiah Parish, 614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana 92701 (No Zoom link will be available.)
- Session 2: 7 p.m. All welcome (Spanish-language translation available). St. Thomas Mission, 15694 Tetley St., Hacienda Heights 91745 (Zoom link will be provided.)
The Bishop Search Committee
The Bishop Search Committee – formed in 2024 by the Standing Committee with attention to the breadth, geography, and diversity of all 10 deaneries in the diocese – was charged with identifying candidates for approval as nominees by the Standing Committee. The Search Committee is co-chaired by Thomas Diaz, director of connection and care at All Saints Church, Pasadena, and the Rev. KC Robertson, associate rector of St. Matthew’s Church, Pacific Palisades. The committee consists of, in alphabetical order by last name:
1. Mr. Thomas Diaz, Lay, Deanery 5
2. Ms. Kathy Eisel, Lay, Deanery 5
3. Canon Martha K. Estes, Lay, Deanery 7
4. The Reverend Canon Dr. Gary Hall, Clergy, Deanery 2
5. The Reverend Canon Mark Hallahan, Clergy, Deanery 6
6. The Reverend Canon Gregory Larkin, Clergy, Deanery 1
7. Ms. Cherrylin Longid, Lay, Deanery 5
8. Ms. Laura Mahaney, Lay, Deanery 3
9. The Reverend Elizabeth Molitors, Clergy, Deanery 1
10. Ms. Kathryn Nishibayashi, Lay, Deanery 3
11. The Reverend Dr. Rachel Nyback, Clergy, Deanery 8
12. The Reverend Joseph Oliomooja, Clergy, Deanery 3
13. Mr. Craig Reimer, Lay, Deanery 7
14. The Reverend KC Robertson, Clergy, Deanery 3
15. The Reverend Carlos Ruvalcaba, Clergy, Deanery 4
16. Mr. Heyden Ely Morales Santiago, Lay, Deanery 4
17. The Reverend Dr. Shane Scott-Hamblen, Clergy, Deanery 10
18. The Reverend Canon Ed Sniecienski, Clergy, Deanery 5
19. The Reverend Jeffery Thornberg, Clergy, Deanery 5
Additional Search resources are here.
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.