Dallas diocese elects George Sumner as next bishop

by diocesan staff
Posted May 18, 2015

ens_051815_georgeSumner[Episcopal Diocese of Dallas] The Rev. Canon George Sumner was elected May 16 to serve as the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, pending the required consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of The Episcopal Church.

Sumner, 60, is currently the principal of Wycliffe College in Toronto, Canada, and was one of four nominees on the ballot for the diocese’s 7th bishop. He received 77 votes from clergy and 107 votes from laity on the fourth ballot during a special convention held at the Episcopal School of Dallas. In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive a simple majority of votes within both the clergy order and the lay order on the same ballot.

“I am humbled and grateful to God for my election,” Sumner said. “It will be a great privilege to share in the ministry Christ has given us all together in the Diocese of Dallas. I would like to express my appreciation for my fellow candidates and the remarkable transition team. I ask for your prayers and help in the days to come.”

If Sumner receives the majority of consents from the bishops and standing committees of the dioceses in The Episcopal Church, he will be consecrated as bishop on Nov. 14.

Bishop Suffragan Paul E. Lambert has been serving as bishop pro-tem since the Rt. Rev. James Stanton retired May 2014 after serving for 21 years as bishop of Dallas.

Lambert said he is happily anticipating a renewed excitement and energy that a new bishop will bring to the diocese.

“I look forward to working with Bishop-elect Sumner as we move into our next period of transition, the consent process,” Lambert said. “The future of the diocese looks bright and is in good hands.”

The other nominees were the Rev. Mike Michie, the Rev. David Read and the Rev. Leigh Spruill.

Sumner has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School and a Ph.D. in theology from Yale University. He is married to Stephanie and has two children.


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