Albany diocese elects Bishop Dan's successor
On Saturday 25 March our link diocese of Albany made the announcement that the Very Rev Bill Love had been elected as Bishop Coadjutor. At present Father Bill is rector of St Mary’s, Lake Luzerne, where he has served since 1992. Before that he was Dean’s vicar at the Cathedral, and an Air Intelligence Officer in the Air Force. He is married to Karen (who is a pilot in the US Air Force) and they have two teenage children.
Father Bill was one of the party from Albany who have just returned to Albany after a week long visit to Down and Dromore to attend a residential conference, organised for clergy and laity from both dioceses, and also to attend the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Bill and Karen were also at the last Diocesan Clergy Conference held in October 2004.
Commenting on the new appointment Bishop Harold said: “What a joy it was to hear of the election of Bill Love as Coadjutor Bishop of Albany. Bill is a godly, humble man, who had to be persuaded to let his name go forward into the process. He will continue to guide the diocese in a lively and orthodox direction and I am looking forward to our link continuing for many years to come.”
The Episcopal Church of the United States differs in the process of election of Bishops in that the Standing Committee Questions and Nominee Responses are in the public domain before the voting takes place. Looking at some of the responses provided to the set questions Father Bill said: “I will do my very best, through God’s grace to faithfully serve the Diocese of Albany, a diocese which I love and feel blessed to be part of, and to serve the larger Church, sharing the love and Good News of Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour.” To see full list of questions and answers click here.
In describing his leadership style one of the statements Bill made was “God has blessed me with a great deal of common sense and a keen insight into human nature. Perhaps my greatest gift is my love for our Lord and His Church and my desire to share that love with others. God has blessed me with a true pastor’s heart and love for his people. I will try to use that gift to the best of my ability ministering to the clergy and people of this diocese and the Church at large.”
The consecretation is planned for Saturday 16 September at the Empire State Convention Centre, Albany, after which the new bishop will begin work alongside Bishop Dan Herzog and Suffragan Bishop David Bena until Bishop Dan’s retirement, when he will become Bishop of Albany.