Episcopal Press and News

Wright Elected Bishop of Delaware

Episcopal News Service. March 19, 1998 [98-2120J]

(ENS) The Rev. Wayne Wright, rector of Grace Church, New Orleans, was elected the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Delaware on February 28. He was elected on the 17th ballot. "I am excited and honored to be invited by the people of Delaware to share their ministry," Wright said. "I love the great variety in the church in Delaware and the opportunity it presents us." According to Wright, in his 10 years as rector of Grace Church he "led a diverse, multicultural, urban parish through reconciliation, renewal and growth." The Rev. Rod Welles, co-chair of the diocese's bishop search committee, called Wright's election "a positive compromise." Referring to the originally scheduled election, which took place on February 7 and was postponed after a voting deadlock appeared insurmountable, Welles said, "We had a stalemate. A compromise that day would have been, in a sense, negative, a vote just to get an election; now, after time for reflections and another opportunity for dialogue, we have a positive compromise." Wright is past president of the National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations and served as secretary to the joint standing committee for nominations of the General Convention.