Episcopal Press and News

Northern Michigan bishop-elect receives church's consent

Episcopal News Service. March 2, 2011 [030211-02]

ENS staff

Diocese of Northern Michigan Bishop-Elect Rayford Ray has received the required consent of the wider Episcopal Church for his ordination and consecration.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has notified the diocese that Ray has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process, according to a press release from the Office of Public Affairs.

Ray was elected on December 4. His ordination and consecration service is slated for May 21 with Jefferts Schori as the chief consecrator.

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

As outlined under Canon III.11.4 (a), for every bishop election the presiding bishop confirms the receipt of consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction, and reviews the evidence of consents from diocesan standing committees sent to her by the standing committee of the electing diocese.

In Canon III.11.4 (b), standing committees, in consenting to 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."

The canons do not specify the wording that bishops must use to give their consent, other than to say in Canon III.11.4 (a) that the presiding bishop requests of each bishop with jurisdiction "a statement of consent or withholding of consent."

The consent process begins after post-election procedural matters, including physical and psychological examinations, have been completed and formal notices are sent by the presiding bishop's office to bishops with jurisdiction, with separate notices from the electing diocese to the standing committees of each of the dioceses in the Episcopal Church.

While Ray has received the necessary majority of consents, consents will continue to be accepted up to and including the May 5 deadline date, the release said.