While it’s not a great surprise to those who, like the Café, have been keeping track of the public announcements about dioceses and bishops consenting to the election of the new bishop in Northern Michigan, today the Presiding Bishop formally announced the “failed election” of Kevin Thew Forrester.
The Presiding Bishop’s letter follows:
__________________
July 27, 2009
Linda Piper
President, Standing Committee
Diocese of Northern Michigan
Dear Linda,
As Presiding Bishop, and in accordance with Canon III.11.5, I am writing to inform you that I have not received from a majority of the Standing Committees of the dioceses consent to the ordination of the bishop-elect within the required 120 days.
Therefore I am declaring the election null and void and with this letter hereby giving notice to the Standing Committee of the diocese and to the bishop-elect.
Your servant in Christ,
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
cc: The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester
The Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews, Bishop for Pastoral Development
The Rev. Canon Gregory Straub, Secretary of the General Convention