Paula Clark
Paula Clark was elected on December 12, 2020, to be the thirteenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. At the time of her election she was canon to the ordinary and chief of staff in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. There were four other candidates in the election. She was elected unanimously on the fourth ballot.[1] She is the first African American and the first woman elected bishop of Chicago.
The Reverend Canon Paula Clark | |
---|---|
bishop-elect of Chicago | |
Church | Episcopal Church |
Diocese | Chicago |
Elected | December 12, 2020 |
Predecessor | Jeffrey D. Lee |
Orders | |
Ordination | 2004 |
Personal details | |
Nationality | American |
Denomination | Anglican |
Previous post | Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff, Episcopal Diocese of Washington |
Alma mater | Brown University |
She grew up in a Washington, D.C. and her family joined an Episcopal church after they were not able to integrate into a Baptist church in their neighborhood. She was baptized by the bishop of Washington, John T. Walker, at age 10.[2] She is a graduate of Brown University and holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She worked in the government of the District of Columbia prior to enrolling in seminary at Virginia Theological Seminary. She graduated from seminary and was ordained in 2004.
She will be consecrated on April 24, 2021, succeeding the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee who retired on December 31, 2020.[1]
References
- "The Rev. Canon Paula Clark Elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago". Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. 2020-12-12. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- "Episcopal Diocese of Chicago elects the Rev. Paula Clark, its first Black and first female bishop". Religion News Service. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2021-01-12.