Episcopal Dioceses Elect Bishops for Atlanta, Rhode Island, and Western Mass.

(Photo: Ann Fowler/Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta)Bishop-elect Robert C. Wright, accompanied by his wife, Beth-Sarah, addresses lay and clergy electors at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, Georgia.. Photo: Ann Fowler

Episcopal Church dioceses, in votes by clergy and lay delegates, elected bishops in Atlanta, Rhode Island, and Western Massachusetts on Saturday.

The elected priests were The Very Rev. Robert C. Wright, 48, to be the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, the Very Rev. Nicholas Knisely, 51, to be the 13th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, and the Rev. Dr. Douglas John Fisher, 57, to be the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

In addition, the Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, currently rector at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Waco, Texas, was elected as bishop suffragan for the eastern region of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

The priests will be ordained bishops by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori later this year, assuming consent is granted by bishops and deputies at the denomination's General Convention in Indianapolis in July.

Rev. Wright became the first African-American priest to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church in Georgia, according to the diocese. He is currently rector of St. Paul's Church, Atlanta and is dean of the diocese's Mid-Atlanta Convocation.

"I think the biggest challenge for us and all of mainstream Christianity is to begin to talk about the good news of Jesus Christ and what his message means in the 21st century," Wright said Saturday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Rev. Knisely, who is currently Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix, Ariz. and who was elected on first ballot, thanked well wishers through his Twitter account.

"[S]uch beautiful people in that state and so much joy about doing the work of God!" the Revered said in reply to one priest who said she was "[s]o happy to have the opportunity to serve with and for you."

Rev. Fisher, currently rector of Grace Church, Millbrook New York, said in a statement that '[w]e are overwhelmed, humbled and honored by this election."

"The diocese was so prayerful and spirited in this process and is aware of the many gifts God has given them. They are ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century, and the Fisher family looks forward to being in Western Massachusetts and serving the kingdom of God with them."

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