Episcopal Press and News
CONNECTICUT: Search committee announces candidates for bishop suffragan
Episcopal News Service. February 9, 2007 [020907-05]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
The bishop suffragan nominating committee in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut presented a slate of five nominees on February 9.
They are:
- the Rev. Dr. Laura J. Ahrens, 44, rector, St. James' Episcopal Church, Danbury, Connecticut;
- the Rev. Sarah Buxton-Smith, 57, rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Buffalo, New York;
- the Rev. Canon Thomas J. Furrer, 56, rector, Trinity Church, Tariffville, Connecticut;
- the Rev. Dr. Robert "Odie" Odierna, 57, rector, Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua, New Hampshire; and
- the Rev. Dr. Michael Louis Vono, 58, rector, St. Paul's Within the Walls, Rome, Italy.
Biographical material and photos are on the bishop search website.
The candidates were selected after a screening process that involved written essays, site visits, background checks, multiple interviews with the nominees and up to ten references. Eight nominees were invited to Connecticut to meet with the full committee and senior diocesan staff.
Additional nominations may be made (using the forms online) until February 16. Any additional nominees will be announced on February 21.
The essay responses to all six questions by all nominees will also be posted on February 21. Three sessions to meet the candidates will take place on March 2-3.
The diocese will hold an electing convention on March 10. The consecration is scheduled for June 30.
Connecticut's diocesan bishop is Andrew D. Smith, and its suffragan is James E. Curry. Bishop Wilfrido Ramos-Orench was serving as Connecticut's second suffragan until last year when he accepted a call and appointment as missionary bishop of the Diocese of Ecuador Central.
There are 174 parishes in the Diocese of Connecticut with approximately 68,000 baptized members and approximately 500 clergy.