The Diocese of Lexington’s 122nd annual convention voted Feb. 24 to call the Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering as bishop provisional.
“What impresses me the most about Bishop Van Koevering is his ability to articulate how important his relationship with Jesus Christ truly is and, based on that, how he lives with an expectation of God to act,” said the Rev. Matthew Young, president of the standing committee. “The Diocese of Lexington should very much benefit from Bishop Van Koevering’s honesty, integrity, and maturity.”
Bishop Van Koevering’s ecclesiastical authority began immediately at the close of convention, and he will be resident in the diocese in April. He succeeds the Rt. Rev Bruce Caldwell, who has resigned as bishop provisional because of health challenges.
“After meeting with the standing committee, the episcopal election planning committee, the diocesan staff and most of the clergy of the diocese, I have grown increasingly encouraged by what I have heard and seen,” Van Koevering said. “God is at work among you. I want to thank you for your trust and confidence. It is a precious gift and a solemn responsibility that you offer, and I look forward to working with you as together we join God’s mission adventure.”
Adapted from the Diocese of Lexington
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.
