From Dean Hollerith and Bishop Budde on Election of Next Bishop

October 3, 2026
Statements

Dear Friends,

I am writing to share that Bishop Mariann Budde has asked the Diocesan leadership to begin preparing for the election of the next Bishop of the Diocese of Washington. (Please see Bishop Mariann’s letter below.)

I am deeply grateful that although she has initiated a succession process, Bishop Mariann will continue to faithfully lead us and hold all the responsibilities of the office of Bishop of Washington through early June 2028. Her request today is the first step in a lengthy process – outlined in diocesan procedures and in conjunction with the national Episcopal Church. We expect election of the tenth Bishop of Washington to take place at the Diocesan Convention on January 29, 2028, and for the new Bishop to be consecrated and ordained at the Cathedral on June 3, 2028. Of course, all of us at the Cathedral stand ready to help as the diocese enters this season of prayerful discernment.

I am also grateful that we will have many opportunities in the months ahead to celebrate Bishop Mariann’s many significant contributions to this Cathedral, our Diocese and to our nation, but today, I hope you will join me in acknowledging her remarkable leadership.  Every day, Bishop Mariann leads with moral clarity, conviction, courage, and her deep love of Jesus Christ.

As we move forward through this transition together, please pray for Bishop Mariann, the Cathedral, and the future of our Diocese.

The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith
Dean, Washington National Cathedral

Preparing for the Election of the Next Bishop of Washington

 

October 1, 2026

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Dear Friends of the Diocese of Washington,

Blessings to you as we enter October.

Next month marks the fifteenth anniversary of our shared ministry. I hope that you know that serving as your bishop is one of the great blessings of my life. 

I write today because I have discerned, in consultation with diocesan leadership and the Presiding Bishop’s office, that it is time to begin preparing for the election of your next bishop. I have not come to this decision lightly or alone, and it will not be easy to say goodbye to the diocese I love. 

The process, however, is only beginning. The election of your new diocesan bishop will take place at the regularly scheduled Diocesan Convention on January 29, 2028. The consecration and ordination will be on June 3, 2028, which is when my tenure as your bishop will end. 

It takes time and considerable effort to elect a bishop in our church. The responsibility for shepherding that process rests with the Standing Committee, the elected body that provides counsel to the bishop and oversees important diocesan matters. Each region of the Diocese has a representative on the Standing Committee, and the current president of the Standing Committee is Matt Klaus. Next week you will receive a letter from the Standing Committee that will outline the steps required, which include the appointment of two committees to undertake this work.

Alongside the diocesan staff and leadership bodies, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the diocese is as strong and healthy as possible for this leadership transition. I am praying for all involved, and especially for the one God is preparing to serve as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Washington. 

Faithfully in Christ,
Bishop Mariann

1 de octubre de 2026

 Todo tiene su tiempo, y todo lo que se quiere debajo del cielo tiene su hora. Eclesiastés 3:1–8

 Queridos amigos de la Diócesis de Washington:

 Bendiciones para todos al comenzar el mes de octubre.

 El próximo mes se cumple el decimoquinto aniversario de nuestro ministerio compartido. Espero que sepan que servirles como su obispa ha sido una de las grandes bendiciones de mi vida.

 Les escribo hoy porque he discernido, en consulta con el liderazgo diocesano y la oficina del Obispo Presidente, que ha llegado el momento de comenzar a prepararnos para la elección de su próximo obispo. No he llegado a esta decisión a la ligera ni por mi cuenta, y no será fácil despedirme de la diócesis que amo.

 Sin embargo, el proceso apenas comienza. La elección de su nuevo obispo diocesano tendrá lugar durante la Convención Diocesana programada para el 29 de enero de 2028. La consagración y ordenación se celebrarán el 3 de junio de 2028, fecha en la que concluirá mi ministerio como su obispa.

 Elegir a un obispo en nuestra Iglesia requiere tiempo y un esfuerzo considerable. La responsabilidad de guiar este proceso recae en el Comité Permanente, el cuerpo electo que asesora al obispo y supervisa asuntos importantes de la diócesis. Cada región de la Diócesis cuenta con un representante en el Comité Permanente, y su actual presidente es Matt Klaus. La próxima semana recibirán una carta del Comité Permanente en la que se explicarán los pasos necesarios, entre ellos el nombramiento de dos comités que llevarán adelante esta labor.

 Junto con el personal diocesano y los órganos de liderazgo, haré todo lo que esté a mi alcance para asegurar que la diócesis esté lo más fuerte y saludable posible para esta transición de liderazgo. Estoy orando por todas las personas involucradas y, de manera especial, por la persona a quien Dios está preparando para servir como décimo obispo de la Diócesis de Washington.

Fielmente en Cristo,
Obispa Mariann

Author

The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

Dean