The Diocese of North Carolina has announced a slate of three nominees to become their twelfth Bishop, succeeding the Most Reverend Michael Curry, who served the diocese from 2000 until his election as Presiding Bishop in 2015.
The nominees announced today are the Revd Charles Dupree, the Revd Samuel Rodman, and the Revd Milind Sojwal.
Brief extracts from the nominees’ announcements:
Unity is at the heart of my love for and faithfulness to the Episcopal Church. In Christ, we are all one. Even when we don’t agree with each other, even when we struggle to find common ground, Jesus is present. Current news, such as a recent article in the NY Times[1], suggests that NC is becoming increasingly more divided.
The Diocese of North Carolina can be a unifying voice. – Dupree
I imagine that the invitation of Jesus to follow him is an invitation to feed, and be fed. At the heart of our collective call to mission is this dynamic which, though consistent, never ceases to amaze me. We follow Jesus’ directive to feed his sheep and discover, in the process, that we are being fed: being filled to overflowing, with grace and gratitude, and with God’ s spirit of abundant love. The world teaches either “eat or be eaten”, but the gospel invitation of Jesus is to “feed, and be fed.” – Rodman
I believe the church needs to be at the forefront of the battle for racial reconciliation; a voice of conscience against the systemic structures of injustice that disproportionately incarcerates young black men and ignores the vicious cycle of poverty and violence in inner city America. As one who is neither black nor white, my desire will be to stand in the gap and lead my people towards Jesus-centered action to address this issue. – Sojwal
As allowed by Canon, nominations by petition may be added between now and December 5th. The Diocese expects to celebrate the consecration of its new bishop on July 15th, 2017.
Read more from the Nominating Committee and the candidates here.