DETROIT, Mich. — The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan has announced the election of The Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry, Rector of All Saints’, Chicago, as its 11th bishop diocesan.
Perry is the first woman and first openly gay priest to be elected bishop since the diocese was formed in 1836. This also marked the first time in the history of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan that the slate of candidates was comprised entirely of women.
The other nominees were:
- The Rev. Dr. Grace Burton-Edwards, Rector, St. Thomas, Columbus, GA
- The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Canon to The Ordinary & Canon for Clergy Development, Multicultural Ministries and Justice, Diocese of Washington
- The Rev. Canon Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Canon to The Ordinary, Diocese of Colorado
“I am in awe of the trust you have placed in me, and I will, with God’s help, do all I can to live up to this trust and this honor, ” Perry said following her election, “I am so excited about the ministry we are going to do together. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Perry holds a holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in NYC. She was ordained deacon and priest in 1990 in the Diocese of Newark. Perry and her spouse currently reside in Chicago and will relocate to Michigan this year.
Pending the consent of a majority of the bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of the Diocesan Standing Committees, Perry will be ordained and consecrated on February 8, 2020 in the Diocese of Michigan. The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, will serve as the chief consecrator.
Perry will succeed the Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., who has served as bishop since 2000 and will retire in at the end of 2019.
The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan is comprised of 75 congregations and over 16,000 baptized members.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android
and
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
