Episcopal Press and News

News Brief

Episcopal News Service. June 19, 2001 [2001-152]

Keyser selected as Montana interim bishop

(ENS) Charles L. Keyser of Jacksonville, Florida, retired bishop for the Armed Forces, has been called as assisting bishop for the Diocese of Montana during a transition period anticipated to last at least two years.

Charles I. "Ci" Jones III, Episcopal bishop of Montana since 1986, submitted his resignation to the diocesan council on February 26. The resignation, effective Ash Wednesday, February 28, followed a February 14 decision by the Court for the Trial of a Bishop deposing Jones for sexual misconduct. Jones is appealing the sentence.

Keyser was selected after an evaluation by members of the diocesan standing committee (which is currently the ecclesiastical authority for the diocese), the diocesan council, and diocesan administrative staff. The decision has been endorsed by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

In a joint communication released June 14, the Rev. Clark Sherman, rector at St. James in Bozeman and president of the standing committee, and George Day, parishioner at St. Stephen's in Billings and vice-chair of the diocesan council, stated that conversations with those who have known and worked with Bishop Keyser "have only strengthened our belief that [he] will serve us well" during the transition. "The information received further affirms our [leadership's] unanimous support of him," they said.

"I look forward to having Bishop Keyser with us," said the Rev. Stephen Brehe of St. Peter's in Helena. "He will find a diocese eager to go forward. There is a tremendous reservoir of good will and energy being released at this time. This is an exciting time to be an Episcopalian in Montana," said Brehe, who also serves on the diocesan council.

Keyser, who is currently dean pro tem at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans, has initiated plans to bring his present responsibilities to a close in order to begin his work in Montana no later than August 23, 2001.