Saturday, January 24, 2009

Longtime Bishop Who Presided Over Va. Rift to Step Down


The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, who has been bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia for 24 years, announced yesterday that he will step down Oct. 1 to make way for a successor who was named in 2007.

The diocese, which covers northern and eastern Virginia and includes 80,000 members, is one of the largest in the Episcopal Church, the U.S.-based branch of the global Anglican Communion.

Starting this fall the diocese will be overseen by the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston, 50, an Alabama native who has worked in dioceses in the South and is known for his work in prison, music and HIV/AIDS ministries.

Under the laws of the Episcopal Church, a bishop must retire either by age 72 or no more than three years after a successor is consecrated.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/23/AR2009012302482.html?hpid=sec-religion

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