Four bishops have been nominated as candidates for the next Presiding Bishops of the Episcopal Church USA. They are:

• The Rt Revd Frank Griswold III of Chicago
• The Rt Revd Robert Rowley, Jr., of Northwestern Pennsylvania
• The Rt Revd Richard Shimpfky of El Camino Real (California)
• The Rt Revd Don Wimberly of Lexington (Kentucky).

The election will take place in the House of Bishops July 21 during the Church's General Convention in Philadelphia and must be confirmed by the House of Deputies.

In commenting on the work of the committee, completed during its final meeting April 10-13 in Delray Beach, Florida, co-chairs Katherine Tyler Scott of Indianapolis and Bishop Calvin Schofield of Southeast Florida said in a joint statement, "We are grateful for all of the prayers of the Church as we have engaged in our work and for those who submitted to this process of discernment. We are offering the names of four individuals whom we believe possess the necessary qualities and abilities for this uniquely important calling."

During a two-year process that was marked by its confidentiality, the 29-member committee developed broad criteria for the office, underscoring the canonical requirement that the Presiding Bishop "shall be the chief pastor and primate of the Church." The committee also emphasised the Presiding Bishop's "responsibility for leadership in initiating and developing the policy and strategy of the church and, as chair of the Executive Council of General Convention," with implementation.