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Episcopal Diocese of Kansas extends its bishop search process

March 09, 2026

[Episcopal News Service] In a March 9 email to the diocese, the Council of Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, which functions as the standing committee, said that the search for the diocese’s next bishop is being extended. The original timeline had called for a slate of between three and five nominees to be announced on March 9, with an election on June 13 and consecration on Oct. 10. However, the council’s email said, “This past week, the search committee notified us that while there were enough applications for a robust process, following their discernment, their recommendation is to invite additional applications, thereby extending the search process,” adding that it accepted the committee’s recommendation. The email said that search committee co-chair, the Very Rev. Torey Lightcap, told the council, “I believe that procedurally, we are exactly where we need to be, and I am grateful the Search Committee was unified in all decisions along the way. We feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon this process, and we believe that with trust and respect we can move to the next logical step.” The council said it has shifted the timeline “to accommodate an open application period and subsequent discernment process.” Plans now call for a combined diocesan convention and bishop election Oct. 23-24, 2026, with a consecration service on April 17, 2027, pending the required consents from diocesan bishops and standing committees. The email stated that the search committee will develop the next phase of the application and discernment process, with more information to be released over the next few weeks. The diocese’s former bishop, the Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascom, resigned on Jan. 31 to serve as a consultant to The Episcopal Church to help create eco-region networks in the U.S. and Province IX.