[Episcopal News Service] The Rev. Canon Audrey Cady Scanlan was elected on March 14 as 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, pending the required consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of the Episcopal Church.

Scanlan, 56, canon for mission collaboration and congregational life in the Diocese of Connecticut, was elected on the second ballot out of a field of three nominees. She received 79 votes of 147 cast in the lay order and 50 of 79 cast in the clergy order. An election on that ballot required 74 in the lay order and 40 in the clergy order.

The election was held during the diocese’s Electing Convention, held at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Pending a successful consent process, Scanlan will succeed Bishop Nathan Baxter, who retired last May after serving the Central Pennsylvania diocese for eight years. The Rt. Rev. Robert Gepert has since served as provisional bishop.

Under the canons (III.11.4) of the Episcopal Church, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to the bishop-elect’s ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.

Scanlan was born in New York, but has lived in Connecticut for the past 50 years. She has served that diocese in many ways, building leadership, addressing conflict, walking with parishes in all seasons of congregational life, as well as building networks and communities across a diocese of 168 parishes. She and her husband of 30 years, Glenn, have three children: Emma (27), William (25), and Harriet (22).

The ordination and consecration is scheduled to take place Sept. 12, 2015 at Downtown Hilton, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

“I am delighted to have been chosen to serve as the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. I look forward to a challenging and fruitful time working alongside the faithful people of the diocese to join in building God’s Kingdom,” said Scanlan after hearing the news. “I am grateful to the discernment and transition committees for their diligent work, and for the prayers and support of so many. God is good and there is much joy in store for us.”

The other nominees were:

• The Rev. Canon David A. Pfaff, 49, former canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Milwaukee; and
• The Rev. Douglas Everett Sparks, 59, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rochester, Minnesota, in the Diocese of Minnesota.

Information about all the nominees is available here.

The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is composed of 12,827 members worshiping in 65 congregations throughout central Pennsylvania.