The Constitution and Canons adopted with the reunion of the Diocese of Wisconsin established a different model for episcopal elections. Rather than asking a Search Committee to narrow applicants to a slate, the process provides for broader participation by the diocese through a Special Nominating Convention.

No. The Election Committee performs some work traditionally associated with a Search Committee, including diocesan listening and development of a profile, but it does not independently choose the final slate of nominees.

The nomination period is anticipated to open after publication of the diocesan profile in February 2027. Additional instructions and requirements will be published here when nominations open.

Yes. Individuals are encouraged to apply themselves. If you know someone whose gifts would serve the diocese well in this work, you may also encourage that person to apply.

Members should anticipate significant involvement throughout the transition process, including listening and profile development, nominations, the Special Nominating Convention, meet-and-greets, and preparations for the Electing Convention.

Under the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Wisconsin, the Standing Committee has responsibility for overseeing the episcopal election process. The Standing Committee is being assisted by The Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith and The Rev. Canon Victor Conrado , consultants recommended by The Episcopal Church's Office of Leadership Development.

Although the Diocese of Wisconsin was reunified in 2024, the reunion restored a historic diocese rather than creating an entirely new one. The Diocese of Wisconsin was originally formed in 1847 and later divided as the Dioceses of Fond du Lac and Eau Claire were established and the remaining Diocese of Wisconsin became the Diocese of Milwaukee.

When the three historic dioceses reunited in 2024, The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter became the 12th Bishop of Wisconsin. The numbering therefore continues the historic succession of bishops of the Diocese of Wisconsin rather than beginning again with reunification. The bishop elected in 2027 will be the 13th Bishop of Wisconsin.

The Canons were written this way in response to concerns arising from episcopal election processes in other dioceses, where a search or nomination process could potentially be shaped toward a particular outcome, including through the composition of a search committee or by limiting a slate to candidates representing a particular viewpoint. Wisconsin's process was designed to reduce those risks and broaden participation.

Its goals are to:

• Draw on the widest possible input from across the diocese.
• Give each of the historic dioceses a voice in the process.
• Avoid confidential decisions being made by a small, unelected group without transparency.
• Above all, identify strong candidates who can work with the whole diocese in all its diversity.

Yes, although the model is not widely used in The Episcopal Church. The Diocese of Springfield (Illinois) and the Diocese of Cuba have used processes similar to this one. A related approach is also used more broadly in bishop elections within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Benefits

• There is greater transparency about who enters the process and what qualifications they bring.
• The diocese has a longer period in which to interact with candidates and learn more about them.
• The process makes it clearer how the final slate develops.
• Input can be gathered from every parish and clergy person in the diocese about who should move forward to the final slate.
• The structure reduces the ability of an unelected group to shape the process around a particular ideological outcome.

Drawbacks

• There will be an additional convention, with the associated time and expense.
• Publishing names earlier in the process may discourage some prospective candidates who are not yet ready for their current parish or ministry setting to know they are discerning another call.
• The Election Committee will need to handle carefully any withdrawals that occur after preliminary nominees are published.

One of the common refrains from the Trialogue process was a call for a more decentralized administration. This Canon represents one of the ways that principle was built into the structure of the reunited diocese by creating opportunities for communicants to have a voice throughout the process.

The Canon is intended to reduce gatekeeping while creating room for the Holy Spirit to move through the wider diocesan community and for members of the diocese to participate meaningfully as the slate develops.

The most important thing to remember is that there are opportunities for members of the diocese to participate in nearly every stage of the process. Parishes are encouraged to regularly announce and discuss developments, create space for reflection and feedback, and direct that feedback to the appropriate transition leadership as the process moves forward.