CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A bishop whose election to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was invalidated by the national church has gained approval a second time and will be consecrated, officials said.
The Very Rev. Mark Lawrence, a self-described traditionalist, will be consecrated Jan. 26.
Lawrence, who was a priest in the conservative Diocese of San Joaquin, based in Fresno, Calif., was first elected bishop in September of last year. But the national church's Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori took the unusual step of invalidating the election in South Carolina.
Jefferts Schori said the standing committees of several dioceses had failed to submit proper written consent as required by church law. The diocese received 57 consents — one more than required — from dioceses nationwide but some came by e-mail and were not considered valid.
The South Carolina diocese held a second vote on Lawrence in August. He received 128 "yes" votes from local clergy, parishes and missions. Only two clergy and three parishes dissented.