[Episcopal News Service] Five priests have been nominated to stand for election to become the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

They are:

• the Rev. George F. Adamik,58, rector, St. Paul’s Church, Cary, North Carolina (Diocese of North Carolina),
• the Rev. Michael A. Bird, 44, rector, Christ Church, Bronxville, New York (Diocese of New York),
• the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, 55, dean, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta),
• the Rev. Canon James H. Pritchett, 55, canon to the ordinary, Diocese of Western North Carolina and
• the Very Rev. Robert C. Wright, 48, rector, St. Paul’s Church, Atlanta, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta).

The Feb. 13 announcement opens a month-long period during which members of the diocese may petition to add additional names to the ballot. (Information about the petition process is here.)

“Today we look with excitement to the presentation of candidates for our next bishop,” said the Rev. Timothy Graham, president of the Standing Committee, in a press release. “I express profound gratitude for the careful and comprehensive work of the nominating committee. This committee, made up of clergy and lay representatives from across our diocese, has given us a fine slate of diverse, talented and qualified candidates.”

Robin Mills Schreiber, chair of the Nominating Committee, said, “This slate is the result of many months of hard work, careful discernment and prayer. It has been a profound privilege and pleasure for me to be involved in this process. Our committee was comprised of many amazing individuals who worked uncomplainingly to see that we have the best slate possible to present to the diocese.”

The person elected will succeed Bishop J. Neil Alexander, who was elected in 2001. At the time of his election, Alexander was a professor at the University of the South School of Theology and was priest in charge of St. Agnes’ Church in Cowan, Tennessee. Upon his resignation as diocesan bishop he will become professor of liturgics and head the Department for Anglican Studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.

A booklet with more information about the candidates, including answers to essay questions posed by the nominating committee, will be published later this week on the Diocese of Atlanta’s website.

If there are petition candidates who are approved by the Standing Committee, names and similar information will be added to the booklet, according to the release.

All candidates will come to the Diocese of Atlanta for five public gatherings during the week of May 13. The election of the 10th bishop of Atlanta is scheduled for June 2 at the Cathedral of St. Philip.

Because the election falls within 120 days of the start of the July 4-12 meeting of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention, that body must consent to the bishop-elect’s ordination.

The diocese has a website here devoted to the bishop search and transition.