ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF WAIKATO AND TARANAKI

Diocese gathers to elect a new bishop

Representatives from throughout the Anglican Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki will meet from tomorrow, Friday August 16th to elect the 7th Bishop of Waikato.

Ten names have been proposed to the Electoral College, five men and five women. The majority of the candidates are from within the Diocese. The gathering is a significant step in the life of the church as it is 20 years since the last Bishop of Waikato was appointed.

Known as an Electoral College, the gathering of approximately 200 laity and clergy meets until a decision is made. The successful nominee must achieve a majority of the votes of both laity and clergy. The gathering at Southwell School is only the first part of a three stage process, during which time the name of the nominee remains confidential.

Part 1:The Waikato Electoral College agrees on a candidate's name to put forward as a nominee for the 7th Bishop of Waikato.

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 is forwarded to the members of the Anglican Church 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 Rev'd Dr Kelvin Wright, Bishop of Dunedin. He says the appointment is a bishop for Waikato, and also the wider church and that it takes time for the different stages of the appointment to be completed. Bishop Kelvin says it is important that throughout the process the confidentiality of the names of those being considered is maintained in what is a significant decision for the wider and local church.

ends

© Scoop Media