Bishop Peter Beckwith called for the election of a bishop coadjutor in 2009.
What is a bishop coadjutor?
A bishop coadjutor is a bishop elected and consecrated during the term of the current bishop. A bishop coadjutor may act as an assisting bishop for some time prior to the death or retirement of the current diocesan bishop. A bishop coadjutor has the right of immediate succession of the current bishop. While Bishop Beckwith plans for his successor to be consecrated prior to his retirement it is not expected that the overlap will be very long for financial reasons. The date of Bishop Beckwith’s retirement has not been announced.
[New] Bishop Peter Beckwith announced on November 22nd that he will retire by February 1, 2010 with the approval of the Standing Committee. January 2010 is envisioned as a transition period for the administrative duties of the bishop to transition to the Standing Committee.
At the 2009 Synod of the Diocese of Springfield the following time line was given for the election of our next bishop:
- Nov 29 (First Sunday of Advent): Election committee formed (search committee) Download letter announcing the Election Committee here.
- Jan 18 (Confession of St Peter): Search budget finalized
- Feb 17 (Ash Wednesday) Diocesan profile completed, guidelines and nomination forms mailed out.
- April 4 (Easter day) Deadline for nominations. Contact nominees and send questionnaires.
- May 13 (Ascension day): Nominee questionnaires must be returned.
- June 29 (St Peter and Paul): Screening of candidates (background checks) and compilation of nominee booklets completed. Booklets mailed to the delegates.
- Aug. 6-7 (Transfiguration): Nominating Synod for the selection of the final nominees.
- Aug 31-Sept 2 (Feast of Aidan and Cuthbert, Bishops of Lindisfarne): Candidates visit diocese.
- Sept 17-18 (Edward Pusey, Priest): Electing Synod
- Jan 18: (Confession of St Peter): Consent period ends.
- Feb/March 2011: Consecration of the bishop.
Note that the standing committee has placed key deadlines on feast days appropriate for the event. The nominating period will be Lent 2010.
Links and material from the diocesan website:
ALMIGHTY GOD, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP page 818, #13)
