5 November 2009

Representatives from throughout the Anglican Diocese of Auckland meet from tomorrow, Friday November 6, at Holy Trinity Cathedral to elect the 11th Bishop of Auckland.

Known as an Electoral College, the gathering of 362 laity and clergy meets until a decision is made. Five names have been proposed to the Electoral College. The successful nominee must achieve a majority of the votes of both laity and clergy. The gathering at Holy Trinity Cathedral is only the first part of a three stage process during which the name of the nominee remains confidential.

* Part 1: The Auckland Electoral College agrees on a candidate’s name to put forward as a nominee for the 11th Bishop of Auckland.

* Part 2: The nominee’s name is forwarded to all of the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia for their approval.

* Part 3: If the Bishops approve then the nominee’s name will be forwarded to the members of the Anglican General Synod / te Hinota Whanui in New Zealand and Polynesia for their sanction by a postal ballot.

The Electoral College will be chaired by The Right Reverend Tom Brown, Bishop of Wellington. He says there is an element of waiting but it is important the entire church takes its role in the appointment and so confidentiality is essential. “The candidates are not present while the Electoral College considers their suitability. Peoples’ lives and skills are being discussed and so it must be confidential.” The name of the successful nominee also remains confidential until representatives of the entire church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia also give their approval. Bishop Brown says if confidentiality is broken the entire process is jeopardized. The process usually takes about three weeks.

A new Bishop of Auckland is being elected due to the retirement in March next year of the current Bishop, the Right Reverend John Paterson. He has held the position since 1995. The Diocese covers the area stretching from North Cape down to the Waikato River, across the Hauraki Plains and including the Coromandel Peninsula.

ENDS

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