The Diocese of Western Michigan chose as its next bishop a former Roman Catholic experienced at applying family systems theory to congregational life.

The Very Rev. Robert R. Gepert, 53, dean of Trinity Cathedral, Easton, Md., was elected on the third ballot during diocesan convention Oct. 19-20 at a Kalamazoo hotel.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Dean Gepert taught high school for 11 years in the Washington, D.C., area before he became an Episcopalian and subsequently acted on a call to the priesthood which he had experienced since childhood. He received an M.Div. degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1985 and was ordained in the Diocese of Washington. Following ordination, he was rector of St. Paul's Church in Prince Georges County, Md., and St. Michael's, Birdsboro, Pa. Both congregations experienced significant growth during his tenure.

In managing the changes which accompanied the congregational growth, Bishop-elect Gepert applied his training in family systems theory and its application to congregational life. He spent five years being trained by Edwin Friedman and currently serves as a systems coach for other clergy.

Assuming that sufficient consents are received from bishops and standing committees of other dioceses, Dean Gepert will be consecrated April 27 at the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids. He will become diocesan on July 1 at the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr.

In other convention business, clergy and lay delegates tabled a resolution calling for study on animal rights. The resolution was tabled pending further information on what materials would be studied concerning "our treatment of non-human animals and the effects of this treatment on our lives as Christians."

A diocesan budget of $818,448 received considerable discussion in the area of the health benefits for lay employees and clergy, particularly retired clergy and their spouses. The budget was amended to continue the existing pattern of health care benefits and to increase revenue accordingly with the delegates pledging to take this challenge back to their congregations.

(The Rev.) Joseph Neim