In an era of shrinking membership, the Episcopal Church must experiment with options for consolidation. The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe became Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania in 2007 – the youngest bishop in the church, at 32. He additionally became Bishop Provisional of Western New York in April 2019, upon the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Bill Franklin, who had served since 2011. TLC … [Read more...] about Two Dioceses, Two States, One Bishop
Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania
Bp. Rowe to Again Serve a Second Diocese
The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania, will soon begin a five-year term as Provisional Bishop of Western New York. In September, Rowe completed a four-year term as Provisional Bishop of Bethlehem. Michigan Dioceses Move Closer The Diocese of Eastern Michigan voted Oct. 27 to ask permission to elect the Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Hougland Jr., Bishop of … [Read more...] about Bp. Rowe to Again Serve a Second Diocese
Pray for Victims and for the Church
The Rev. Sean W. Rowe, Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Provisional Bishop of Bethlehem, writes about the latest reports of sexual abuse: In the last several days, our fellow Christians in the Roman Catholic Church here in Pennsylvania have been shaken by the revelations of widespread child sexual abuse committed over many years by clergy in that church and covered up … [Read more...] about Pray for Victims and for the Church
2 Dioceses Closer to Collaboration
The standing committees of two dioceses — Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York — have unanimously approved sharing a bishop and staff for five years while exploring a long-term relationship. The plan must still be approved by the annual conventions of both dioceses, which will meet jointly in the Niagara Falls, New York, in October. The Rt. Rev. William … [Read more...] about 2 Dioceses Closer to Collaboration
Possible Shared Future
The dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York have released a letter about their discussions to explore a shared future. The letter is from the Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe and the standing committee of Northwestern Pennsylvania and the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin and the standing committee of Western New York. The letter says, in part: If our discussions in … [Read more...] about Possible Shared Future
Bp. Franklin to Retire in 2019
The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin writes to the Diocese of Western New York to announce his plan to retire in April 2019: When I left on sabbatical in April, I said to you that one of the things I would be doing during that time was praying and thinking about my retirement as Bishop of Western New York. I want to share with you that I have made the decision to retire on April … [Read more...] about Bp. Franklin to Retire in 2019
Bethlehem Looks Northwest
Adapted from the Diocese of BethlehemThe Diocese of Bethlehem’s standing committee has nominated the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, to serve for three years as Bethlehem’s provisional bishop. If approved by Bethlehem’s diocesan convention on March 1, Bishop Rowe would add the duties to his existing oversight in the northwestern diocese, … [Read more...] about Bethlehem Looks Northwest