The Diocese of Virginia is accepting applications in its search for a new suffragan bishop. The suffragan bishop will fulfill duties that had been handled by the Rt. Rev. Edward Gulick, who served as assistant bishop from 2011 to 2017.
The Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff, retired Bishop of Maryland, began serving as an interim bishop associate in March.
The diocese describes the suffragan’s office in this language:
The second Bishop Suffragan will share with the Bishop Diocesan, Shannon Johnston, and the Bishop Suffragan, Susan Goff, in the depth and breadth of episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Virginia. Shared ministry includes:
- support and development of congregations, clergy and lay leaders, including conflict transformation;
- leadership, support and development of diocesan organizations;
- being a voice of faith in the public square;
- offering leadership in local, nation and international mission;
- articulating a vision for the Church in the world in the 21st century;
- and taking part in the governance and councils of the wider Church.
The second Bishop Suffragan, who will work primarily out of the northern Virginia office, will provide:
- specific leadership in pastoral care of clergy and their families;
- support and development of campus ministries;
- and ecumenical and interfaith relationships.
The search committee will accept applications until April 27 and expects to announce a slate of nominees in early September. The diocese’s annual council, meeting Nov. 2-3, will elect the bishop.
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.
