Western Massachusetts diocese announces bishop slate

[Diocese of Western Massachusetts] The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts on Sept. 29  announced a slate of three candidates to serve as the 10th bishop diocesan.

The candidates are:

• The Rev. Susan B. Fortunato, rector, Christ Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie, New York;
• The Very Rev. Marcus George Halley, college chaplain and dean of spiritual and religious life at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut;
• The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut.

The people of the diocese will have the opportunity to meet and hear from the candidates at events held Nov. 4-6 throughout the diocese. More information on these “meet-and-greet” gatherings will be available on the diocesan website. The annual and electing convention of the diocese will take place Nov. 14-15 at the University of Massachusetts Campus Center in Amherst.

Concurrent with this announcement, the Standing Committee opened a petition process whereby additional candidates may be added to the slate. The petition process runs from Sept. 29 until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 6.

The Standing Committee expressed every confidence in the work of the Search Committee and extended heartfelt thanks to the Rev. Heather Blais, chair.

“This dedicated team of clergy and laypeople thoroughly reviewed a large number of applications, engaged in interviews and gathered with finalists for a Spirit-led and intensive discernment retreat weekend,” wrote the Rev. Nathaniel Anderson, the committee’s president. “All this hard work and holy listening has yielded an impressive slate of faithful, talented clerics who have discerned a call to Episcopal ministry as our next bishop.

“We feel confident that each of these candidates would make an outstanding bishop in Christ’s church. We ask that you continue to join us in prayer as we discern together who God is calling to lead us and to serve among us at this time and in this place.”

Blais said: “We have experienced the Holy Spirit moving in and through the people of our diocese, our churches, and the candidates who so generously gave of their time, energy, and spirit in faithful response to God’s call. This process has been life-giving, and we are eager for our diocese to get to know these candidates. Each of whom is a person of great joy, hope, and courage; ready to help us adapt and grow as the Jesus Movement here in Western Massachusetts.”