Joy Abounds at Bishop Coadjutor’s Ordination
By Carol E. Barnwell
“I’m as giddy as I can be,” said Maggie Vaughner, a member of Trinity, Houston, at the recent ordination of Andy Doyle as bishop coadjutor. Her excitement and joy at the event was echoed over and over by representatives of the 154 congregations in the Diocese of Texas who were among the 1700 plus participants at the ordination at St. Martin’s, Houston, on November 22.
A bishop coadjutor serves alongside the diocesan bishop with the right of succession. Bishop Doyle was elected by clergy and delegates of the diocese on May 24, 2008, and will become the ninth Bishop of Texas June 6 upon the mandatory retirement of Bishop Don A. Wimberly (at age 72).
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori served as chief consecrator, and Bishop Wimberly, along with Bishops Suffragan Rayford High and Dena Harrison, and retired diocesan bishops, Claude E. Payne and Ben Benitez were co-consecrators. Three former priests of the diocese of Texas were among the nearly two dozen fellow bishops who attended and helped to consecrate the new bishop. They are: Greg Rickel, Bishop of Olympia; Ed Konieczny, bishop of Oklahoma and Todd Ousley, Bishop of Eastern Michigan.
“Es une buen día,” said the Rev. Alejandro Montes, vicar of San Mateo in Houston and one of the presenters at the ordination. “It’s amazing! I was very grateful when Bishop Andy asked me to be part [of the service],” he said. “I feel I have a friend who is bishop.”
Chester Jones, a board member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, of which the Bishop of Texas is chair, said: “It’s a great day for the diocese, for the Church and for the people. It begins the passing of the torch from a bishop who is well loved to a young man with great potential.”
The service was appropriately “over the top” with bagpipes, banners, brass quartets, jazz groups and a choir representing youth and many congregations, adding to the swells of 80 ranks of St. Martin’s Gloria Dei Organ.
Stewart Kelly of St. Alban’s, Waco, wouldn’t have missed it for the world. He brought his children, Ragan, 8 and Jackson, 7, to participate in the historic event. The children made mitres and stoles and printed bags with a stamp of the new bishop’s cross before heading into the worship service.
“We’re very active in our church and this doesn’t happen everyday,” Kelly said, adding that twenty members from St. Alban’s had traveled to Houston for the ordination.
It was Bishop Wimberly’s touching sermon that didn’t leave a dry eye in the house. Through laughter and a few tears, Bishop Wimberly told the new bishop that he would continue to deepen in his faith as a bishop and would come to “understand the words of Jesus personally.”
“You did not choose this role,” he said. “This role was chosen for you … …the story of Jesus is born in you and it will be recognized in your life …so that when people look at [you] they may look through [you] and see Christ.” He said the Church had recognized the call to ministry in Andy Doyle on many occasions through his discernment and his ministry. He spoke directly to Bishop Doyle, saying: “The diocese elected you believing that to be the will of God … We are here for God to make [you] a bishop … that is all the authority you need … [and it is the people of this diocese] who will authenticate that authority.” “There will be tragedies, absurdities, victories and joy. We are the ones who can reach out to people and say, ‘Let’s dance!’” he said.
Following the actual consecration, Bishop Doyle’s wife JoAnne, daughters Caisa, 11 and Zoë, 6, joined him as he was vested and presented with the gifts of his new ministry. When Bishop Jefferts Schori presented the new bishop and his family to the congregation, the church erupted in an extended standing ovation. His voice broke with emotion as he offered his thanks to Bishop Wimberly and after a brief moment, he continued, “I have loved serving with you and look forward to every precious moment I will have with you before you retire.”
The shared admiration provided the exclamation point on a day of profound joy and celebration, hosted most graciously by the members, clergy and staff of St. Martin’s.
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