Bishop Davidson Named Assistant in Ohio
Episcopal News Service. May 29, 1980 [80203]
Cleveland -- Bishop William Davidson of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas has been named Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, according to an announcement by Bishop John H. Burt of Ohio in the spring issue of Church Life.
Bishop Davidson, 61, has been diocesan of Western Kansas for 14 years. He plans to resign that post effective Nov. 15 and begin his duties in Ohio immediately after that date. He has accepted this appointment subject to the majority consent of diocesan bishops and standing commissions of the Church.
The position of assistant bishop was approved by the 1979 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Unlike a bishop coadjutor -- who is elected with right of succession -- and a suffragan bishop -- who is elected as an assistant to the diocesan for life -- an assistant bishop is appointed from the ranks of already consecrated bishops and serves during the tenure of the diocesan. The approved canon stipulates that a bishop appointed an assistant must have served five years in his present position.
The convention of the Diocese of Ohio approved the naming of an assistant bishop last February. Bishop Burt was assisted in his choice by an advisory committee of clergy and lay persons.
Bishop Burt said that Bishop Davidson will assume "responsibility for a broad range of programs and concerns in support of the ordained ministry as well as working with vestries in the search for new clergy when parochial vacancies occur." The new assistant bishop will assist the diocesan in confirmation visitations and other episcopal duties.
Bishop Davidson was born in Miles City, Mont., in 1919 and was educated at Montana State University and Berkeley Divinity School. He has spent his entire ministry in small town and rural work, except for six years when he was on the Executive Council staff in New York City in the area of town and country work.
Bishop Davidson represents Province VII on the national Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. He has been active in regional and national Church work, serving in leadership positions in Coalition 14, the Rural Workers' Fellowship, and Kansas Council of Churches.
Bishop Davidson married Mary Shoemaker in 1942 and they have three grown sons and a daughter.
The Diocese of Ohio -- the northern part of the state -- has 58,482 baptized members in 116 congregations and is served by 223 clergy. The Diocese of Western Kansas consists of 32 congregations with 3,752 members and is served by 35 clergy.