Elizabeth Berman elected sixth bishop of Hawai‘i
[Episcopal News Service] The Rev. Elizabeth “Libby” Berman was elected the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Hawai‘i on May 16 at the ‘Iolani School in Honolulu on O‘ahu.
Berman was elected on the second ballot after the first ballot was canceled due to technical issues. The election required a majority of votes in both the clergy and the lay orders on the same ballot, in accordance with The Episcopal Church’s constitution and canons and the special rules of order adopted for the electing convention.
Berman, rector of the Church of the Holy Nativity in Honolulu, was added to the election slate by petition in March. The other candidates were:
- The Rev. Andrew J. Arakawa, canon for ministry formation, Diocese of Hawai‘i, Honolulu.
- The Rev. Timothy J. Yanni, rector of Church of St. John the Baptist, Phoenix, Arizona.
“We extend our deep gratitude to all three candidates who offered themselves for discernment. Their willingness to share their gifts, vision and faith with our communities across the region has been a profound blessing,” the Diocese of Hawai‘i’s standing committee said in a May 16 announcement sent to the diocese. “We hold the candidates and their families in prayer as they continue to serve the church with grace and dedication.”
Berman was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota. She has three generations of her maternal family living on O‘ahu, the most populated of the Hawaiian Islands. She first visited Hawai‘i when she was 10 years old.
Berman earned a Master of Divinity degree from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before it relocated to New York. She has spent more than 20 years working in congregational ministry, including seven years as canon for congregations in the Diocese of Massachusetts.
Berman and her husband, Mark, have two daughters, one of whom is a teacher on O‘ahu.
Pending majority consent of churchwide authorities, Berman’s consecration is scheduled for Nov. 14. She will succeed the Rt. Rev. Robert “Bob” Fitzpatrick, who has been bishop of the Diocese of Hawai‘i since 2007.
As bishop, Berman will serve Episcopalians in Hawai‘i, Guam and Saipan.
“As we look to the next chapter in our common life, we invite the people of The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i to continue praying for the bishop-elect, for the candidates, for their families and for all in our diocese,” the standing committee said. “May the Holy Spirit guide us in hope and unity as we prepare to welcome and support the sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i.”
