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THE PETITION PROCESS
The entire endeavor of the calling of a new bishop is under the influence of the Holy Spirit as God continues to be present with the Church, as God’s people participate in and proclaim the Good News of love and salvation in Jesus Christ. It is a discernment process.
In the Episcopal Church, we share that discernment, with each order of ministry taking part through the Convention. The Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) is canonically tasked with providing for an orderly process and developing the protocols for the election.
As in all calls the discernment is in two parts: the candidates and the body. The wider body participates in rising up candidates for bishop through two avenues: the Search Committee Slate and the Petition Process.
Both of these avenues put the nominees’ names before the Electing Convention where the final discernment on the part of the diocese will take place.
The Search Committee will shortly put forth a diverse slate of names of very well qualified candidates for the Electing Convention to consider. Its decisions are based primarily on insights gathered from a broad spectrum of members of the diocese and its own discussions, interviews and prayerful discernment.
That “Search Committee Slate” will have been carefully vetted in order to give the convention a real choice of distinct candidates, any one of whom has the basic competencies to succeed as bishop. We expect that slate to be formally announced early in Advent 2008.
In addition to the Search Committee Slate other candidates for bishop may be certified to come before convention by receiving the endorsement of both lay and clerical members of the diocese and fulfilling the other basic requirements of a Petition Process as described below.
By getting the required signatures, the petitioners demonstrate support in both orders and beyond a specific congregation or constituency, or geographic area of the diocese. Each candidate will also be asked to provide a narrative biography and a “Greetings Statement” introducing him/herself to the Diocese.
These written responses, as well as a photograph, will be posted on the website along side the Search Committee Slate within 4 weeks after the Search Committee Slate is posted.
The background checks for all candidates, both the Search Committee Slate and the Petition Candidate Slate, will be completed before the “Walk-abouts” in which all candidates, both Search and Petition, will be equally included.
The Standing Committee will formally accept completed Petitions for a period of 28 days beginning the day after the public announcement of the Search Committee Slate. Although no petitions will be accepted prior to that time, the various documents and the gathering of supporting signatures may, of course, begin immediately.
Following the 28 day period “window” for accepting petitions and their review, the Standing Committee will post the “Petition Slate” on the website alongside the Search Committee Slate of candidates.
The JOC is requiring a total of only 16 supporting signatures (as described below). In certifying the petitions, the Standing Committee will verify that the petition candidate meets all canonical requirements for eligibility for election as a Bishop according to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, is aware of necessary procedures (background checks through the Oxford Document Service and participation in the Walkabouts) and has met the requirements it has set for its process.
The endorsement signatures required for a Petition Candidate must include:
--Eight (8) clergy canonically resident in the Diocese of Long Island, with at least two representing churches within each of the four Archdeaconries.
--Eight (8) Lay Persons who are communicants in good standing of parishes in the Diocese of Long Island, with at least two persons representing churches within each of the four Archdeaconries.
Completed petitions, including all signatures; a digital JPEG color “head-shot” photo on a neutral background of the nominee wearing clericals or other professional dress; a “Greeting Statement” of no more than 250 words; and a concise narrative biography of no more than 125 words must be received within 28 days after the announcement of the Search Committee slate:
A standard format for the nomination of petition candidates is provided on this website. CLICK HERE to see and print the form. You must use this standard format petition to nominate a candidate.
All petitions must be postmarked within 28 days of the announcement of the Search Committee Slate which is expected in early Advent 2008.
Please mail the completed petition with original signatures to:
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