The Rt. Rev. Robert J. O’Neill, 10th Bishop of Colorado, has announced his intention to retire.
O’Neill, who has served as bishop since 2003, said he hopes his elected successor will begin work in early spring, 2019.
O’Neill wrote in a letter issued on All Saints’ Day:
I cannot begin to describe what a gift and a deep joy it has been for me to serve The Episcopal Church in Colorado. Having been ordained as a priest in this diocese in 1982, I have been blessed by a long history here and the many friendships that I have made over those years. To travel across this amazing state and to see first-hand the commitment and gifts of so many individuals, both lay and ordained, has been nothing short of inspiring. I treasure the ways I have been invited into some of the most holy moments in people’s lives—praying on retreat with postulants and candidates preparing for ordination, laying hands on those being confirmed, sharing conversation about the grace-filled and miraculous ways that the Holy Spirit is moving among us, just telling stories and laughing with folks, or negotiating the inevitable difficulties and interpersonal challenges of this extended community that we call a diocese. All of it has been transformational, healing, and life-giving beyond measure for me, and I am grateful to all of you beyond words. I pray that I have been able to return the favor in some small way over the years. You are a gift and a blessing. Thank you.
Read the rest [PDF].
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.
