(The Episcopal Church) The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia has received notification from the Presiding Bishop’s Office that Bishop-elect Philip N. LaBelle has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process detailed in Canon III.11.3. The consents received have been certified by the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, registrar of the General Convention.
In giving consent to his ordination and consecration, standing committees and bishops exercising jurisdiction in The Episcopal Church attest to knowing of “no impediment on account of which” Bishop-elect LaBelle ought not to be ordained as bishop, and that his election was conducted in accordance with the canons.
LaBelle was elected bishop diocesan on May 18, 2024. His consecration and ordination service is scheduled for September 14, 2024.
Philip N. LaBelle elected ninth bishop of Olympia
The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia elected the Rev. Philip N. LaBelle as its next bishop during a May 18 special electing convention at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington.
LaBelle currently serves as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts. While in the Diocese of Massachusetts, he has co-led the Mission Strategy Committee, served on the Executive Committee and Diocesan Council, and directed the Fresh Start program.
“The very first thing that struck me about the Diocese of Olympia was hearing about your deep love for Jesus,” LaBelle said upon learning of his election. “Further, the desire to share that love in a predominately secular culture became all the more apparent throughout the search process, especially with the connection made between the gospel message and the intention to become the Beloved Community and to protect and heal our natural world. I am deeply honored to be called to be your bishop, to be a faithful pastor among you, and to help care for and equip the people of the Episcopal Church in Western Washington in your mission to share Jesus’ love.”
LaBelle will be consecrated and installed as the ninth bishop of Olympia on September 14. He will succeed Bishop Greg Rickel, who resigned on December 31, 2022. The Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, bishop provisional, serves the diocese in the interim.
Skelton presided over the electing convention. “I’m deeply gratified that the lay and clergy delegates of the diocese have spoken,” she said.
LaBelle was elected on the fourth ballot with 91 clergy votes and 119 lay votes; 76 clergy votes and 113 lay votes were needed. Clergy and lay delegates representing the nearly 100 worshiping communities across the Diocese of Olympia, which stretches south from Canada to Oregon and west from the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
The bishop-elect was chosen from a slate of four nominees. The other nominees were the following:
- The Rev. Hillary D. Raining, rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
- The Ven. Jordan Haynie Ware, archdeacon for justice, Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, Canada, and rector of Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Edmonton
- The Rev. Kate E. Wesch, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Essex, Connecticut.
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.