Ghanaian nominated for the 12th Bishop of Chicago

Rev. Father Canon Koomson is among eight nominees to become the 12th Bishop of Chicago, a committee of the members of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church announced on September 24.

The complete list of nominees are: The Rev. Jane S. Gould, Rector, St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church, Lynn, Mass.

The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr., Rector, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Barrington, Ill.

The Rev. Canon Robert K. Koomson, Pastor-In-Residence, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Rector, St. Thomas Church, Medina, Wash.

The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Dean, Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio

The Rev. Margaret R. Rose, Director of Women's Ministries, The Episcopal Church

The Very Rev. Petero A. N. Sabune,

Pastor and Protestant Chaplain, Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Associate Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Ossining, N.Y.

The Rev. Timothy B. Safford, Rector, Christ Church, Philadelphia

In its charge to the Bishop Search Committee, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Chicago directed that “all are welcome in our Church, and consistent with that, no candidate shall be excluded ‘because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age’. (National Canons Title III, Canon 1, Section 2). It is in the best interest of our Diocese to find the best candidates for bishop for the Diocese of Chicago.” All eight nominees were put forward because the Search Committee and others believe that they have gifts for episcopal ministry, and may be called to be our next bishop.

Nominees will be introduced at a series of presentation gatherings throughout the diocese to be held Oct. 23-28, and the electing convention will be held Nov. 10 at the diocese’s annual convention in Wheeling. After the majority of Standing Committees of the other dioceses of the Episcopal Church and bishops with jurisdiction have given their consents to the election, the new bishop of Chicago will assume office on Feb. 2.

The new bishop will succeed the Rt. Rev. William D. Persell, who has served as Bishop of Chicago since March, 1999.