Fr. Bigliardi Elected Bishop of Oregon
Diocesan Press Service. November 8, 1973 [73240]
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Rev. Matthew P. Bigliardi was elected bishop of Oregon on the fourth ballot at a Diocesan Convention held in Corvallis, Ore., Sept. 6-7. He will succeed the Rt. Rev. James W. F. Carman upon the latter's retirement early in 1974.
Father Bigliardi is the rector of Emmanuel Church, Mercer Island, Wash., a position he has held since 1955. He was born in Charleroi, Pa., on Sept. 14, 1920, and is a 1950 graduate of the University of California in Berkeley, with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. He was graduated from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, with a M.Div. in 1953.
A deputy to seven General Conventions of the Church, Father Bigliardi has also served the Diocese of Olympia on its Standing Committee, as chairman of its Commission on Ministry, and as vice-chairman of its Diocesan Council and its Liturgical Commission.
He is married to the former Jeanne C. Gross, and the Bigliardis have one son, Aidan.
His election over a field of four candidates was presented to the General Convention in Louisville, Ky., for its consent, a provision allowed by national canons for elections held within three months of the opening of General Convention. Tentative plans call for Father Bigliardi's consecration to be held early in 1974.
Other candidates for the office included the Rt. Rev. Hal R. Gross, suffragan bishop of Oregon; the Rev. Daniel H. Ferry, rector of St. Paul's Church, Salem, Ore.; and the Rev. H. Frederick McLauchlan, rector of St. Stephen's Church, Longview, Wash.
(Note: A photograph of Fr. Bigliardi is available on request.)