The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia ordained and consecrated the Rt. Rev. Karin Lee MacPhail as its seventh bishop on June 13 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia. MacPhail, who succeeds the Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas, is the first female bishop in the 107-year history of the diocese.
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe served as the chief consecrator. Joining Rowe as co-consecrators were Bourlakas, Texas Bishop Suffragan Jeff Fisher, former Virginia Bishop Suffragan Susan Goff, Maryland Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, Utah Bishop Phyllis Spiegel and Bishop Phyllis Milton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Virginia Synod.
In the days leading up to her consecration, MacPhail said, “I am deeply honored at the trust that has been placed in me and humbled by the work of the Holy Spirit in this call. I look forward with great joy to supporting and serving all the parishes, ministries and people of the diocese as we grow in unity and community together, loving and serving God and all our neighbors, and always grounded in the love of Jesus Christ.” To read more, click here
