Episcopal Journal

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Florida posted a letter July 21 on the diocesan website, stating that the diocese’s election of the Rev. Charlie Holt as its next bishop failed to receive the required consents.

The letter follows:

“Dear People of God in the Diocese of Florida,

“Today marks the conclusion of the 120-day period during which the Episcopal Church’s standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction were asked to consent to the election of the Rev. Charlie Holt as bishop coadjutor of our diocese.

“With regret, we are writing to tell you that the election did not receive the required majority of consents from either standing committees or bishops and, as required by Canon III.11.4, Presiding Bishop [Michael] Curry has declared the election null and void.

“We know this news will evoke many responses, especially among the delegates who voted for Charlie Holt, those who have worked hard to obtain consent to the election and those who objected to it. Certainly, this is a crucial moment in our life together as a diocese, and yet we are assured every week as we gather at the Lord’s Table that we are living members of the Body of Jesus Christ.

“We are then sent out into the world to love God and love each other. In keeping with these beliefs, we are asking that you please join us in praying for our diocese and for one another. We also ask that you pray for the Holt family as they find a way forward that looks very different from the one they had planned.

“Many of you have questions about what will happen next. In the immediate future, nothing will change. Bishop [Samuel] Howard remains Bishop of Florida until his retirement, which by canon must take place no later than three months after his 72nd birthday on September 8. In the coming months, plans will be made to celebrate Bishop Howard’s 20-year episcopacy in the Diocese of Florida.

“Upon Bishop Howard’s retirement, the Standing Committee will be the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese, as prescribed in Article IV of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church. In keeping with Canon 13.2, we will, as needed, invite bishops to serve our diocese by presiding at confirmations, ordinations and other pastoral offices. Over time, we will discern how our path forward might be best served by an assisting bishop with unique gifts that would be helpful to us, by a new bishop search process, or by asking the diocesan convention to elect a bishop provisional for a limited period.

“Beloved, although our path forward is not yet clear, our hope is in knowing who holds our future. While our current circumstances are difficult and uncertain, we can rest this day knowing God is with us and will not desert us.   Because Jesus Christ is Lord, we have a hope that can and will see us through these challenging times. In this hope, we continue to pray for each of you, for our diocese, and for the one Church.“

The Florida Standing Committee and other Florida Episcopalians had pleaded with churchwide leaders to honor the result of their November 2022 election of Holt to succeed retiring Bishop John Howard. Those pleas couldn’t overcome calls from some within the diocese and across the church to deny consent over procedural concerns and Holt’s past statements on racial and LGBTQ+ issues, reported Episcopal News Service.

Curry issued a statement July 21 marking the end of the consent period as the Jacksonville-based diocese considered its next steps.

“A bishop election is a process that involves the whole church, and we acknowledge that many have been and will continue to be affected by the process. Please hold the whole church in prayer as we move forward,” Curry said. “Also, please continue to pray for the people, clergy, and other leadership of the Diocese of Florida – and for the Rev. Charlie Holt and his family – as they discern their ways forward.”

The standing committee also shared a letter from Holt, who thanked the diocese for electing him and for welcoming him and his family to the diocese. He previously served as associate rector of teaching and formation at the Church of St. John the Divine in Houston, ENS reported. The Diocese of Florida hired him as a diocesan staff member while the first of its two bishop elections was under review.

“The love and kindness you have shared with me and my family over the past year have been a tremendous blessing. We will always remember the gifts you have given us, no matter what else,” Holt said. “Please join me as I pray in hope for the future of the Diocese of Florida. Our hope is that these current struggles will not lead you to abandon it.”

He added that he and his wife plan to remain in the Diocese of Florida “if you will have us, as there is much work to do, and this is our home.”

Later in the day, Howard released his own letter reacting to the news, calling the churchwide decision a “reactionary rejection” of Florida’s election, ENS reported.

“Our diverse diocese has established, maintained and promoted a big-tent culture in Florida open to all followers of Jesus Christ and those who seek to know him,” Howard wrote. “Many of us have questions about what has happened and why. I expect to have more to say about these things shortly. For now, I am asking you to join me in prayer and reflection regarding these events and all that has led us to this place.”