The Rev. Canon Andrew Dietsche Elected
Bishop Coadjutor
November 19, 2011
At a little after 4 p.m. this afternoon, at a special election convention held at Manhattan’s Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, the Rev. Canon Andrew M.L. Dietsche was declared the bishop coadjutor-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of New York – a position that gives him automatic right of succession to the current Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, when he retires.
Dietsche, a Poughkeepsie, NY resident who is currently on the diocesan staff as Canon for Pastoral Care, was elected on the third round of balloting by a majority of the active clergy (176 of a total 262) of the diocese and of delegates from all of its congregations (131 out of a 233). A brief biography of the bishop elect may be found here.
Canon Dietsche was one of two candidates nominated “from the floor” in addition to the five who were put forward at the end of August by a special Committee to Elect a Bishop, which began work following Bishop Sisk’s call for an election at the diocese’s 2010 annual convention last November.
The bishop coadjutor-elect must now receive the consent of a majority both of bishops of the Episcopal Church “with jurisdiction” and of the standing committees of the Church’s dioceses, before being consecrated in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Saturday, March 10, 2012. He will then work alongside Bishop Sisk with, in Bishop Sisk’s words, “responsibility for all those who enter the ordination process, as well as the search process for all congregations who begin their search for new clerical leadership, as of the date when the bishop coadjutor elect assumes his or her duties. Over time,” Bishop Sisk continued, “and following consultation with the bishop coadjutor, additional duties and areas of jurisdiction will be assigned,” Dietsche will become the new Diocesan Bishop on Bishop Sisk’s retirement, which must take place on or before his 72nd birthday in August 2014.
Canon Dietsche issued the following statement on the announcement of his election:
” I am deeply honored and humbled by my election today as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New York, a diocese I have long ago come to know and love so deeply as Canon for Pastoral Care. I look forward to continuing to serve this community in the years to come in this new role to which I have been called. It has also been a particular pleasure to come to know the other candidates in this election, and I have been blessed to be included in their company. It is a poignant and powerful thing to find that one is the bearer of the hopes of others, and each of us who accepted nomination for this election has had that learning, been lifted up by the love and prayers of many, and felt the weight of that responsibility. I am thankful for each of the candidates with whom I made this journey, and for the faith, courage and grace with which they have adorned our diocese and our election. May God continue to shower them with every blessing.
“I believe that it is especially a privilege to be the church in uncertain times. It is the greatest gift to face challenges which surpass our ability and understanding, for it is only then that we learn what it really means to trust God. We are in a season in which so much of our common life, the life and health of so many churches, and the resources on which our ministries and our mission have depended, can no longer be taken for granted. The particular challenges with which we will contend in this next chapter of our life will test us, but I am certain that, God being our helper, we will prevail over fear and doubt and by the witness of a courageous faith give glory to God. I thank the clergy and people of New York for inviting me to lead them into that wonderful future, and I ask God’s blessing on this, our great Diocese of New York.”
Canon Dietsche addressing the convention after his election.
Congratulations! You certainly were the “best” candidate and we are so very happy for you and proud to be your friends.
Delighted to hear of your election to be the servant of servants. Our prayers and love will always be with you
Congratulations, Andy. You have inherited the mantle of leadership for a terrific diocese (from which I was ordained in 1998). Peace and blessings.
Dear Bishop-elect Andrew Dietsche, All Blessings to you upon your election.My former diocese is indeed fortunate to be getting you as a Chief Pastor,with your gentle deep spirituality.Please know that you & your family were prayed for at both of our Eucharists yesterday at St.Mary’s,Carle Place,LI Respectfully-In Christ,Gerardo+Ramirez Priest-in-Charge
Greetings from Holyrood and congratulations.
A parable (of sorts): I have two dogs, both the same breed: One of them is a sweet, submissive, ’soft’ dog; the other is sweet, but a typical alpha dog, a ‘hard’ dog. I used to do herding with them (i.e., ‘pastoral care’) and the sheep (‘the flock’) behaved very differently with each one.
When my soft dog was on the sheep, the lead sheep would turn around and strike the ground challenging the dog; the dog moved away and the sheep would stop and graze in one spot–I’d call my soft dog back on the sheep and the scene would repeat itself. It would take about 45 mins to corral the sheep back into the pen.
When my hard dog was on the sheep, the sheep felt more pressure and they moved along at a good pace; the sheep might not have been happy, but they weren’t distressed and moved in the right direction. It would take only about 10 mins to corral the sheep back into the pen with the hard dog.
Candidates with proven results in congregation building and administration were rejected in this election. The ‘flock’ of the Episcopal Diocese of NY instead chose a ‘soft dog’ when what is needed at this critical time of dwindling Episcopal congregations and increasing Episcopal irrelevance is a ‘hard dog’ who will apply the pressure needed to move ‘the flock’ in the right direction and spare it from grazing itself into oblivion. Sadly the opportunity was missed.
Congratulations! I am so proud to have had you as my Priest and a mentor! You are amazing man of God! Love to you and Margaret! Alison
To B.V.Del Rowe-Don’t sell short the Person & the Power of the Holy Spirit,working in this process.
To Rev. Gerardo Ramirez: The strength of the Spirit’s presence in the outcome depends on human cooperation, intelligence, and effort. Humans are entirely capable of turning away from the Spirit, and in the case of the election, be instead guided by friendship or enmity, influenced by personal favor, hobbled by fear. Had the body of electors, envisaged only the glory of God and the good of the Episcopal Church, the result would have reflected both divine and human intelligence working in concert. For me, this election gives another meaning to the phrase, “that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
Oh dear! We have dogs working sheep, and now a sacred spook working the dogs.
Hey guys! God knew from the very inception of Creation who was saved and who was — well, not saved…. This follows from the principle of Divine Omniscience. And as we are assured in the 39 Articles, all this is hidden from us in the Secret Mind of God. In short, all that stuff doesn’t matter.
[Of course, the bishop and his successor-to-be undoubtedly prefer a single-predestination theory; some will surely be saved and the rest have Free Will (...) — but there is still no redemption once mortal coil is shuffled off. This more moderate view allows for priestly intervention, good works to fill the coffers of the church (and new-congregation building) and lots of scope for evangelical sermonizing in the mode of Jon Edwards.]
Briefly: A rather silly tempest in a very modest teapot, gents.
Congratulations Bishop Coadjutor Dietsche (Father Andy)! We have started attending St. Andrews the Apostle in Rocky Hill, CT and the parish reminds me of what we had at Good Shepherd when you were there (lots of families and activities for everyone). I only hope that my little Matthew can grow up in this church the way I grew up in your parish. The Diocese of New York is very blessed to have you.
Dear Canon Dietche:
Congratulations on your election to the position of Bishop Coadjutor. Even though I
was not allowed to have voting status after over 40 years of service to this diocese
I am happy for the Diocese of New York. I was going to attend but some family matter
came up to prevent that. All the same I was watching the results in the post-modern
way. Dominus vobiscum et nobiscum
Congratulations from London.
Andy, congratulations! How wonderful it was to hear of your election from Gordon, our bishop, as he briefly visited St. John’s, Williamstown on the occasion of Peter Elvin’s 25th Anniversary as our rector. Gordon mentioned that we now have eight bishops from this diocese! How happy I am for the church and for all who will be blessed by your bright, faithful, wise and compassionate spirit. May our gracious God bless, strengthen and uphold you as you begin your new ministry.
Susan Crampton
What happy news, Andy…at least from my perspective! Margaret and you will be in my prayers as you enter this new and challenging time. Hooray to God and the people of New York!
Paul
Dear Canon Andrew,
Every blessing and prayer as you enter a further call in your priesthood. As one in your neighboring diocese I hope to meet you in person, and invite you to come east when you feel the call to rest and relaxation in the years to come.
In the Lord,
Tim +
St Ann’s Episcopal Church
Bridgehampton
New York
The Holy Spirit made a wonderful choice and He found a ‘canon for PASTORAL CARE ready to work. The latinos are also your flok and I am sure that you know it. God bless you.
Mision San Pablo- At the General Seminar -Manhattan