Four married men with years of clergy experience have been nominated as finalists to be the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky, succeeding the retiring Bishop Ted Gulick.
The four men ”” including the pastors of cathedrals in Pennsylvania, Arizona and Missouri and a former Kentucky pastor now leading a Texas church ”” will visit the diocese to meet with parishioners and answer their questions. An election convention is scheduled for June 5, with the new bishop’s consecration on Sept. 25.
The list of finalists is notable for its lack of gay or lesbian candidates ”” given the ongoing controversy involving the Episcopal Church and its global partners in the Anglican Communion over the role of gays in ministry ”” and for its lack of women.