New Minn. Episcopal bishop consecrated Saturday
The Rev. Brian Prior is being consecrated as Bishop of the Minnesota Episcopal church Saturday in a ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Several thousand people were expected to attend the ceremony, which is to be conducted by Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori.
Prior says he is impressed with the diversity of Minnesota congregations.
"Part of the beauty of this diocese is that inclusive nature of it -- whether you are talking about the ethnic diversity, the sexual orientation diversity or age diversity," he said.
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Prior said he's looking forward to hearing from congregations around the state about how they can work together to help the church grow.
"We are really going to have to work on networking and sharing between congregations, between communities to make that happen," he said.
Prior was elected in October. He comes to Minnesota from Washington state, where he served for more than a decade as rector of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane, Wash.
Current Bishop James Jelinek is retiring after 17 years in the post.