Responding to an announcement from the Office of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Bishop-elect Sally French today said:
I give thanks that the required majority of consents has been received and look forward to taking on this new role in the Diocese of New Jersey beginning next month. I am excited about the work ahead and grateful for what has been. Under the leadership of Bishop Stokes, our diocese has developed a firm foundation of discipleship and mission and we are ready to embrace the new opportunities that God has in store for us together.
The announcement released by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs reads:
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey has received notification from Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry that Bishop-elect Sally French has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process detailed in Canon III.11.3. The consents received have been certified by the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, registrar of the General Convention.
In giving consent to her ordination and consecration, standing committees and bishops exercising jurisdiction in The Episcopal Church attest to knowing of “no impediment on account of which” Bishop-elect French ought not to be ordained as bishop, and that her election was conducted in accordance with the canons.
French was elected bishop diocesan on Jan. 28. Her consecration and ordination service is scheduled for June 24.
Responding to the announcement, Bishop Chip Stokes said, “I am excited to learn that The Reverend Canon Dr. Sally French has received the necessary consents from the wider Episcopal Church and is now officially Bishop-elect. I, and our entire diocesan community, look forward to welcoming her and her family to New Jersey and are eager for her to begin her ministry among us.”
Following the election, French this week has ended her position as canon missioner for regional ministry and collaborative innovation with the Diocese of North Carolina. She and her family—The Rev. Clarke French and their teenaged children Jack and Libby—are in the process of moving from North Carolina to New Jersey. The Bishop-elect expects to formally begin her work with the Diocese of New Jersey in early April.
