Bishop-elect George Sumner Receives Consents

09.15.15 | by The Rt. Rev. Paul E. Lambert

    The Rt. Rev. Paul E. Lambert notifies the diocese that Bishop-elect George Sumner has received consents.

    September 15, 2015

     
    My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
     
    I have been notified, by the Office of the Secretary of the General Convention, that Bishop-elect George Sumner has received the requisite number of consents from the House of Bishops and Standing Committees of the Episcopal Church. We are very pleased by this good news and give thanks to God and the Church for reaffirming our choice for our next Apostolic Father in God.
     
    We will move forward with our plans for the Bishop-elect's Consecration on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at First United Methodist Church Dallas. The service will begin at 11 a.m.
     
    Sumner, who was elected in May during a Special Convention on the fourth ballot, said he was happy to hear the news. "I am glad we're 'official.' I am excited about what God has in store for us in the Diocese of Dallas. The theme of our upcoming convention is God's saying 'I have a plan for you,' from Jeremiah, and so we believe. Let us keep praying in confidence in accordance with that word."
     
    While Bishop-Elect Sumner has received the necessary majority of consents, consents will continue to be accepted up to and including October 10 deadline date.

    In Canon III.11.4 (b), Standing Committees, in consenting to the ordination and consecration, attest they are "fully sensible of how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ."
     
    Please join me in congratulating Bishop-elect Sumner and continue to pray for him and his family during this time.
     
    In Christ's name,
     
    +Paul