Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana notified of successful canonical consent process for next bishop
July 11, 2022

Office of Public Affairs

The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana has received notification from Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry that Bishop-elect Shannon Rogers Duckworth has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process detailed in Canon III.11.3. The consents received have been certified by the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Registrar of the General Convention.

In giving consent to her ordination and consecration, standing committees and bishops exercising jurisdiction in The Episcopal Church attest to knowing of “no impediment on account of which” Bishop-elect Duckworth ought not to be ordained as bishop, and that her election was conducted in accordance with the canons.

Duckworth was elected bishop diocesan on May 14. Her consecration and ordination service is scheduled for Nov. 19. 

La diócesis de Luisiana recibe notificación del éxito del proceso de consentimiento canónico

La Diócesis Episcopal de Luisiana recibió la notificación del Obispo Presidente y Primado Michael B. Curry que el Obispo electo Shannon Rogers Duckworth obtuvo la mayoría requerida de consentimientos en el proceso de consentimiento canónico detallado en el Canon III.11.3. Los consentimientos recibidos fueron certificados por el Revdo. Canónigo Michael Barlowe, Secretario de la Convención General.

Al dar su consentimiento para su ordenación y consagración, los comités permanentes y de los obispos que ejercen jurisdicción en la Iglesia Episcopal atestiguan que no conocen “ningún impedimento por el cual” el obispo electo Duckworth no deba ser ordenado como obispo y que su elección se realizó de conformidad con los cánones.

Duckworth fue elegido obispo diocesano el 14 de mayo. Su servicio de consagración y ordenación será el 19 de noviembre.

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For more info contact:

Amanda Skofstad

Public Affairs Officer, The Episcopal Church

askofstad@episcopalchurch.org

You belong. You are children of God. No exceptions.

Bishop Duckworth’s sermon called us to remember the UpStairs Lounge fire in the French Quarter, a violent act of deadly arson that killed 32 gay men in nineteen minutes. In the aftermath, no church in the city would bury the dead. The exception was St. George’s Episcopal Church. Its rector, the Rev. Bill Richardson, did what he knew Jesus called him to do — he buried those men. He did so not without cost: he faced active condemnation from the larger community, but also from within his own congregation and from within our own diocese.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of two pivotal resolutions from the 1976 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Resolution 1976-A069 and Resolution 1976-A071 declared that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church,” and that LGBTQ+ persons “are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens.” While we can celebrate many clear advancements for the full inclusion of our LGBTQ+ community in church and community life, the work is ongoing.

It has not always been a straight path. The church is human, and humans stumble. But consider how far we have traveled: from a church being rebuked for praying over the dead, to bishops wearing rainbow stoles given as gifts by LGBTQ+ Episcopalians at ordination. From closed communion tables to fully open sacramental life. From whispered exclusion to the joyful, public, Spirit-filled worship we offer tonight.

In our own Diocese of Louisiana, the transformation has been remarkable. Inclusive Louisiana, our network of LGBTQ+ Episcopalians and their allies, has been a light in this region for years — marching in Pride parades, offering pastoral care, and equipping congregations to proclaim God’s all-inclusive love. And here at St. Anna’s, you have led the way: becoming the first congregation in this diocese to celebrate same-sex marriage.

Bishop Duckworth’s conclusion made plain that actively creating a joyfully inclusive church is what we are called to do:

Not someday. Not when things are more comfortable. Not when the political climate improves. Today. The work of liberation is always a present-tense call.”

To speak that truth in this moment is not a partisan act. It is an act of Christian faithfulness. It is what prophets do. It is what the Church, at its best, has always done — even when it cost us something.

We serve a God who said: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” That includes everyone. Everyone is a child of God.

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth

Bishop Duckworth offered the Prayer for Travelers from the Book of Common Prayer for Deacon Luigi, who is relocating to Chicago. His contributions to Inclusive Louisiana, St. Anna’s, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, and the broader community have been immeasurable. We are grateful for all he has given us, and we trust that though he leaves us physically, what he has created here will continue to grow.

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