South Carolina Episcopalians

An Independent Journal of News & Commentary for Anglicans

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In spite of this mix of change, discouragement, and hope, a new sense of expectancy seemed to emerge. 

I want a Bishop that will bring a new pragmatic vision for our diocese. One that will lead us to a higher level, re-energize our diocese after the pandemic has past, grow our church, offer to the “returning parishes” a place to belong (not necessarily conform). One that can manage the limited resources we have to work with in our diocese.

The possibility that a woman could be elected Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina became more likely in January of this year when its search committee included two credible female candidates – Archdeacon Calhoun Walpole and the Rev. Ms. Woodliff-Stanley – among a diverse slate of five candidates it would propose to the diocesan convention in May.  That prospect became even more credible as parish elections this spring suggested that for the first time in Diocesan history, a majority of delegates to the convention would be women.

However, in the event that neither woman could garner concurrent majorities among both the lay and clergy, there were three male candidates that included the Rev. Cn. Terence Lee, a Charleston native and former rector of St. Paul’s in Bennettsville.  Canon Lee went to seminary from the Diocese and still has significant family connections here.   The historical significance of electing Canon Lee as the first African American bishop in a Diocese in which race has been such a factor was not lost on anyone.

 

 

At the same time as the slate was announced, the Diocesan Office posted written comments and brief introductory videos from each candidate, and within days it seemed that no single candidate had an edge over any other.  It looked like it was already a horse race, with each candidate seeming to have made a favorable first impression.

While COVID quarantines kept even fellow parishioners from talking to each other about the election, speculation about how candidates were faring were complicated by the Church’s complex, bicameral election system.

At elections for bishop, delegates to Diocesan conventions are split up into two “Orders”.  The Clergy Order is comprised of all clergy in good standing, while in the Lay Order each parish is awarded one vote and each mission one-half-vote.  Those votes in the Lay Order would be decided by a majority of the delegation from each parish and mission.  Tie votes would result in an abstention for that ballot.