The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV, Bishop of Southern Virginia since February 2009, has announced his plans to retire in December.
The 126th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia convened in Williamsburg last week, Feb. 16 & 17. Much work was accomplished by Council, but the big news was Bishop Hollerith’s announcement, during his address, that he will retire at the end of this year.
“I would never claim that my work is done in Southern Virginia,” the bishop said during the diocese’s 126th annual council on Feb. 16-17. “One’s work in ministry is never ‘done,’ never completed, because there is always more that one can do for the Lord in any place. But, there does come a time when you realize that you’ve used all of your skill set and that a different skill set with fresh eyes and fresh energy behind it might be more appropriate for leading the community forward.”
Bishop Hollerith noted that there will be a gap of six to eight months between his retirement and the consecration of his successor, and added that the gap will be filled by the Rt. Rev. James Magness, who serves as assisting bishop.
“This is somewhat intentional on my part. I think it will be healthy for Southern Virginia to have a short break between diocesans,” he said. “Fortunately, there is a wonderful, capable bishop with a North Carolina mountain accent who will be in residence in Southern Virginia.
The bishop added: “I love my ministry. Now, in all honesty, I don’t know that as a retired bishop I will pine away every February for a chance to run a large legislative session in an oversized hotel ballroom. Nor am I likely to miss regularly reviewing Title IV canons. But I am certain that I will miss you. … But we all must keep moving — and following Jesus.”
Adapted from the Diocese of Southern Virginia
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
