Retiring Western New York bishop to serve as assisting bishop in Long Island

Posted Feb 13, 2019

[Diocese of Western New York] Bishop Bill Franklin, who will retire as bishop of Western New York on April 3, will become assisting bishop in the Diocese of Long Island in May.

“Bishop Bill Franklin is a wonderfully gifted bishop whose experience and wisdom will add a great deal to the overall ministry of our diocese,” said Bishop Larry Provenzano, bishop of Long Island. “I look forward to welcoming my esteemed friend and colleague to the staff of the diocese.”

Franklin, who holds a doctorate in church history, will work with the Long Island diocese’s Mercer School of Theology, conduct parish visitations and support clergy and lay leaders. He joins Bishop Daniel Allotey and Bishop Johncy Itty, who also serve as assisting bishops. Bishop Geralyn Wolf is the assistant bishop of Long Island.

In retirement, Franklin will also teach a fall 2019 course in liturgical history at Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He continues to serve as vice-chair of the Board of the Archives of the Episcopal Church and as chair of the Episcopal Church’s Task Force to Coordinate Ecumenical and Interreligious Work.

The Diocese of Western New York will hold three events to celebrate Franklin’s ministry, including a service on April 7 at which Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe will be installed as bishop provisional.


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