Bishop Iker announces plans for his retirement

Bishop, Standing Committee call for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor

August 20, 2018

In a meeting today at the Diocesan Center for Ministry, Bishop Jack L. Iker announced to the diocesan clergy his intention to retire at the end of 2019. With the diocesan Standing Committee, the Bishop is calling for the electionis successor, who will become the fourth Bishop of the Diocese.

Consecrated on April 24, 1993, Bishop Iker succeeded the Rt. Rev. Clarence Pope, becoming the third Bishop of Fort Worth on Jan. 1, 1995. He will celebrate the 44th anniversary of his ordination to the sacred priesthood on Friday, Nov. 9, at the Opening Eucharist of the 36th Annual Diocesan Convention.

A Nominating Committee for the selection of a slate of candidates is to be formed in October. Provisions for the process are set forth in diocesan Canon 40, which calls for two representatives (one lay, one clerical) to be elected from each of the six Deaneries. Eight additional members (four lay, four clerical) will be elected by the Executive Council, and the Standing Committee will elect a further eight committee members (four lay, four clerical) and a chairman. The Nominating Committee is expected to make a report to the Convention in November. The election will take place at a Special Conventionon June 1, 2019; the consecration date is tentatively set for Sept. 21, the feast of St. Matthew.

Following is a letter to the Diocese from Bishop Iker.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

After prayerful discernment and reflection, I have decided the time has come for us to begin the search process that will lead next year to the election and consecration of a new Bishop as my successor.

As you know, I am now in my 26th year as your Bishop, and in a few days I will celebrate my 69th birthday. In order to make way for new leadership, it is my intention to retire on December 31, 2019.

?The first step is the election of a Nominating Committee, under the provisions of Canon 40, on the “Election of a Bishop.” In September and October, 14 clergy and 14 lay members will be elected to serve on the committee, and the Standing Committee will elect a chairman. A profile of the Diocese will be compiled in October, and then nominations for Bishop will be received until the end of December.

The Nominating Committee will research the list of nominees and conduct interviews in the early months of 2019. The Committee will provide the names of at least three nominees to stand for election at a Special Convention on June 1of next year. The Bishop Coadjutor-elect would be approved by the College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America at their regular June meeting, and tentative plans have been made for his consecration on Sept. 21, 2019.

The new Bishop would serve with me until the end of December, and his formal installation as Diocesan Bishop would be held in early January 2020.

?As we move forward together in the months ahead, we are confident of God’s grace and guidance as things unfold. Thank you for your prayerful support of this process, that it may be led by the Holy Spirit.

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth