[Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey] The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey has announced March 16 that it had added three names to the slate of six nominees to stand for election as the diocese’s 12th bishop.

The three priests, all from the diocese, nominated through an independent nomination process that began with the Jan. 28 announcement of the original slate. That process ended Feb. 27.

The additional nominees are:

• The Reverend Canon Dr. Francisco Pozo, 56, vicar, Christ Church, Trenton;
• The Very Reverend René John, 52, dean, Trinity Cathedral, Trenton; and
• The Reverend Canon Donald J. Muller, 59, rector, St. Peter’s Church, Medford.

They join the previously announced nominees:

• The Rev. David Anderson, 56, rector of St. Luke’s Parish in Darien, Connecticut;
• The Rev. Joan Beilstein, 52, rector of Church of the Ascension in Silver Spring, Maryland;
• The Rev. Allen F. Robinson, 42, rector of St. James’ Church in Baltimore, Maryland;
• The Rev. Canon Melissa M. Skelton, 61, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Seattle, Washington; and canon for congregational development and leadership of the Diocese of Olympia;
• The Rev. Canon William Stokes, 55, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Delray Beach, Florida; and
• The Rev. Martha Sylvia Ovalle Vásquez, 60, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Walnut Creek, California.

Detailed information about the all nominees is available here.

Short video presentations by the nominees on topics that they have chosen, along with a brief personal introduction, will be made available for viewing on YouTube no later than April 12.

The nominees will participate in a visit to the diocese April 22-24, during which time they will meet with clergy and lay people of the diocese.

The bishop election will take place on May 4 and the ordination is scheduled for Nov. 2.

The 12th bishop will succeed the Rt. Rev. George Edward Councell who has served as the diocese’s 11th bishop since 2003.