Caroline Carson reports for Episcopal News Service:
The Rt. Rev. Joel A. Pachao was elected May 10 as the 6th prime bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.
Pachao, 61, is currently the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines, based in Baguio City in Benguet Province. He was one of three nominees.
In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive a simple majority of votes from both clergy and the lay delegates, voting separately on the same balloting round. Pachao was elected on the second ballot, receiving 44 clergy votes and 39 lay votes, with 36 and 32 needed, respectively, for election.
The election took place during the church’s 10th Regular Synod being held May 9-12 at the church’s national compound in Cathedral Heights [in Quezon City].
“Over the years we have been guided by the Five Marks of Mission in our mission planning and much has been accomplished, so there is no need to change,” Pachao said. “All the more, there is need for the whole ECP to take the Five Marks of Mission seriously and purposefully to heart and let them guide our life, our mission, and our ministry as a church. What we need to do is to build on what has been accomplished. This we can do even as we seek additional ways of living out the Five Marks of Mission in the light of new challenges that come our way.”
Image of Bishop Joel A. Pachao by Caroline Carson/ENS
