By R. William Franklin Bishop Charles Henry Brent was a prophetic leader of the Episcopal Church in the early 20th century. What does his vision of Christian unity contribute to our post-pandemic Episcopal Church? Brent was elected the first missionary bishop to the Philippines in 1901, and his influence was such that the new Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the … [Read more...] about Brent, and a Post-Pandemic Vision for Christian Unity
Diocese of Western New York
Two Dioceses, Two States, One Bishop
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
Adopt a Duck
Bishop William Franklin of the Diocese of Western New York developed a collection of a few thousand decorative ducks during his tenure, and he needs to lighten the load as he prepares to retire and serve as an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Long Island. His diocese reports in its newsletter: We have well over 2,000 ducks at the Diocesan Offices and while the Bishop … [Read more...] about Adopt a Duck
Bp. Franklin to Assist in Long Island
Bishop Lawrence Provenzano has appointed the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin as an Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Long Island beginning May 1. “Bishop Bill Franklin is a wonderfully gifted bishop, whose experience and wisdom will add a great deal to the overall ministry of our diocese. I look forward to welcoming my esteemed friend and colleague to the staff of the … [Read more...] about Bp. Franklin to Assist in Long Island
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
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
Council Praises Buffalo Bishops
The New York State Council of Churches conferred its first Excellence in Ecumenism Award May 12 to the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin of the Diocese of Western New York and the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Buffalo. “What is very striking to us as a council are the powerful ways in which Bishop Franklin, an Episcopalian and Bishop Malone, a Roman Catholic, have … [Read more...] about Council Praises Buffalo Bishops