THE process to elect the Most Revd Michael Curry’s successor as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States has begun. Several bishops have entered the discernment process.

Names of possible candidates were submitted by 111 Episcopalians. Named bishops were asked to enter the discernment process, if they were willing, and to submit applications. Bishops who agreed to be put forward had to provide video responses to set questions.

Further nominations could still be made at next year’s General Convention, in addition to the three names that have to be put forward to the Convention by the Joint Nominations Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop.

The submitted video applications were reviewed last week, and several bishops will be invited to a virtual interview this autumn. Some will then be invited to an in-person interview in March.

The Revd Maureen-Elizabeth Hagen, who chairs the committee, said: “Our initial review of the applications showed us that this House of Bishops offers remarkably strong and diverse leadership. All of the bishops who entered the process bring great gifts to lead our church in the coming years. We are grateful for their willingness to discern with us.”

Bishop Curry’s nine-year term ends on 31 October 2024. In recent months, he has suffered periods of ill-health, including being admitted to hospital for internal bleeding (News, 2 June, 16 June). He underwent surgery on Wednesday to remove an adrenal gland, and is in recovery for 24 hours.

The Episcopal Church has asked for prayers for his recuperation, and for those bishops who have entered the discernment process.

The General Convention will meet next June, in Kentucky.

On Tuesday, Episcopalian bishops gathered for the start of a four-day online meeting on the theme “The Vocation of the Bishop Now”, with a focus on membership decline and growing concerns about clergy discipline under the Title IV canons, particularly with regard to the accountability of bishops (News, 15 September; 8 September).