Episcopal Church presiding bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori today sent a letter to the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Northern Michigan telling them what they already knew — The election of the Rev. Kevin G. Thew Forrester as bishop-elect of Northern Michigan is “null and void” because a majority of the church’s standing committees did not consent to the election by the July 19 deadline. The Northern Michigan standing committee already knew this because the Northern Michigan standing committee is the body that keeps the official tally of the church’s standing committee votes. Jefferts Schori’s office, on the other hand, keeps an official tally of the bishop’s votes. Jefferts Schori’s letter doesn’t reveal how the bishops voted. It’s unclear whether that information will ever be released.
The press release and letter are below.

The Episcopal Church
Office of Public Affairs

Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori Notifies
Diocese of Northern Michigan of Failed Election

[July 27, 2009] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori today has notified the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan that the necessary consents to the ordination and consecration of a bishop were not received within the prescribed time period, thereby declaring the election “null and void.”

The Presiding Bishop’s letter follows:

__________________

July 27, 2009

Linda Piper
President, Standing Committee
Diocese of Northern Michigan

Dear Linda,

As Presiding Bishop, and in accordance with Canon III.11.5, I am writing to inform you that I have not received from a majority of the Standing Committees of the dioceses consent to the ordination of the bishop-elect within the required 120 days.

Therefore I am declaring the election null and void and with this letter hereby giving notice to the Standing Committee of the diocese and to the bishop-elect.

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

cc: The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester
The Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews, Bishop for Pastoral Development
The Rev. Canon Gregory Straub, Secretary of the General Convention

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