The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio

412 Sycamore Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513.421.0311 or 800.582.1712
Fax: 513.421.0315

Questions? Please email the Standing Committee.

Find a list of FAQ about the bishop nominee meet-and-greets here.

How long will it take to elect a new bishop?

In the Episcopal Church, the process for electing and ordaining a bishop typically takes between one and two years. Here in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, we spent some time before officially beginning our search addressing essential issues of institutional culture and clarity. The Standing Committee determined that this preparatory period was necessary to create an environment that will foster the ministries of the diocese and our next bishop.

The search began on August 3, 2022. We intend to elect our new bishop on September 30, 2023, and to hold the Ordination and Consecration of the Tenth Bishop of Southern Ohio in mid-February 2024 or shortly thereafter. 

How will the candidates for bishop be chosen?

The Nominating Committee will have the job of presenting the slate of bishop candidates to the Standing Committee. This committee, which will include lay and clergy people from all parts of the diocese will have diversity that represents the population of our diocese. The committee will write a profile of the diocese, seek applicants, conduct interviews and a retreat for candidates, and finalize a slate by late June 2023.

When will the new bishop be elected?

The special electing convention is scheduled to take place on September 30, 2023. Learn more on the timeline page.

When will the new bishop take office?

The Ordination and Consecration of the Tenth Bishop of Southern Ohio will take place in mid-February 2024. The Standing Committee is working with Presiding Bishop Curry’s office to secure a date.

Who will be our bishop until then?

Bishop Wayne Smith’s time as our bishop provisional was scheduled to end in August 2023. However, in an August 3 letter, he wrote, “You should know that I am willing to consider an extension in my agreed-to time as Bishop Provisional, past the original end date of August 2023. I can imagine continuing in my current role through the time of an election, and then in a scaled-down role until the ordination.”