Diocese of Dallas notified of successful canonical consent process

Posted Sep 15, 2015

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Registrar of General Convention, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, have notified the Diocese of  Dallas that Bishop-Elect George Sumner has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process.

The Rev. George Robinson Sumner, Jr., was elected Bishop on May 16.  His ordination and consecration service is slated for November 14.

While Bishop-Elect Sumner has received the necessary majority of consents, consents will continue to be accepted up to and including October 10 deadline date.

In Canon III.11.4 (b), Standing Committees, in consenting to the ordination and consecration, attest they are “fully sensible of how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.”


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Comments (1)

  1. Edward Willey III says:

    LGBT Episcopalians here in Dallas, along with their allies, friends, and family, sincerely hope that future Bishop Sumner will consider seriously the issues surrounding the inclusion of LGBT persons in this diocese. Up to this point, the diocese has talked about us – not to us. In Sumner’s letter following the authorization of same-sex marriage rites at the Convention, we were told that the diocese’s refusal to follow the principles laid down in the Resolution is a “gift” to the Church. This did not sit well with us. Franky, it felt like an insult. In any given parish in this diocese, gays and lesbians are singing in choirs, serving as acolytes, helping to manage parish affairs, teaching classes, and more. Yet, we are being talked about – not engaged in a dialogue. For many years, LGBT members of this diocese have been largely silent. No more. These issues have reached critical mass. On September 20 a group of us calling ourselves Dallas Episcopalians for Unity (including allies, not just LGBT) mailed a letter to the Diocese of Dallas, copying the leadership of TEC and the diocesan Bishops and Standing Committees of all the other dioceses of this church. As far as I am aware as of this moment, a response has not been received from the Diocese of Dallas. You may read our letter here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7gGn92E_p9SM3RsOWphUFdyU1U/view

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