The Diocese of Texas has announced two nominees as it seeks a new bishop suffragan: the Rev. Beth J. Fain, 60, rector of St. Mary’s Church, Cypress, and the Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, 48, rector of St. Alban’s Church, Waco.
As in previous elections, the diocese used a completely open process that welcomes any person nominated by a sufficient number of delegates.
“We have made our process known throughout the country and have invited anyone who feels called to this ministry to enter that election process,” Pam Nolting said in the diocese’s announcement of the nominees.
“Over the last six months clergy from across the diocese have been in conversation with their peers and lay leaders to discern their call to this particular ministry,” said the Rt. Rev. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas. “I know that we have had at least nine serious candidates who, in the end, decided this was not a ministry they felt called to undertake.”
The election is scheduled for June 2.
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.
