October 1997

General Convention: Frank Griswold Elected Presiding Bishop

PHILADELPHIA, PA — July 21: The Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Bishop of Chicago, was elected 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on Mondy of the last week of Convention.

The Rev. Ted Karpf, executive director of the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition, expressed his joy at the election and offered praise for the Presiding Bishop-elect. “We are thrilled with the election of the Presiding Bishop — the Diocese of Chicago has had a long history of support and compassion for people living with AIDS under the able leadership of Bishop Griswold.

A poster on the day after his election of Presiding Bishop-elect Frank Griswold in front of St. Stephen's Church, Philadelphia.

A poster on the day after his election of Presiding Bishop-elect Frank Griswold in front of St. Stephen’s Church, Philadelphia.

Most recently, ‘train the trainer’ programs in the use of the Episcopal Guide to TAP, the Church’s official youth AIDS curriculum, were conducted at Church House in Chicago at the Bishop’s invitation.

Because of his broad experience ecumenically, AIDS work in the Diocese of Chicago has been advanced through interfaith and ecumenical community groups, with the support of the Bishop. “We trust that because the House of Deputies has acted in support of AIDS ministry across our church, the Presiding Bishop-elect and his staff will continue the same trust, relationship, and support for AIDS ministry through the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition,” Karpf said.

Presiding Bishop-elect Griswold assumes office on January 1, 1998, and will be enthroned on January 10 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.