Sumner is the seventh bishop in the diocese's history and replaces retired Bishop James M. Stanton. He was elected during a special convention in May, coming to Dallas after leading Wycliffe College in Toronto.

During the ceremonial rites, the seven bishops in attendance asked Sumner questions before the official laying on of hands, a ceremony in which they surrounded the new bishop and officially ordained him into the line of succession.

After his consecration, Sumner -- in a distinctly Boston accent -- said he was grateful.

"I am grateful for the gift of being among you in the Diocese of Dallas," he said. "It is a great blessing for me."

Sumner began his career as a priest in western Massachusetts in 1981 before going on to serve, among other places, in East Africa and on American Indian reservations in New Mexico and Arizona. He has a doctorate in theology from Yale and attended Yale Divinity School and Harvard College.

Sumner has publicly joined with more conservative members of the Episcopal church, saying same-sex marriage is not supported biblically. However, he opposes the breakaway movement that has arisen out of same-sex marriage and other social issues, instead advocating that the church remain whole and that both liberal and conservative theologians find ways to co-exist.

Methodist officials said they were happy to host Saturday's ceremony, using the opportunity to call for interfaith collaboration.

"As we continue our focus together, not only in the city of Dallas, but beyond in the area we all share together, know that we are partners with you in witnessing the risen Christ," Methodist Bishop Michael McKee told the hundreds of Episcopalian parishioners and clergy who gathered in the Ross Avenue cathedral.

The lavish ceremony began with a parade of banner-wielding representatives from each of the diocese's parish churches and schools and members of the bishop search committee.

The Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, congratulated the diocese on its new bishop and read a statement from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The Right Rev. Stephen Andrews, bishop of the Diocese of Algoma in Canada, gave the sermon Saturday and lauded Sumner's tenure at Wycliffe College, noting that Sumner would probably play down his achievements.

"But I also know that you won't begrudge the shameless institutional plug of your Episcopal college," Andrews joked.

Sumner gave a thumbs-up from his seat.

Andrews said the diocese is in for an exciting new chapter in its history thanks to Sumner's unique combination of pastoral and administrative talents. He added a small caveat, though: Sumner is a devoted Boston sports fan.

"If it comes down to the finals, you cannot count on his support," he said.

VOL FOOTNOTE: This is PB Curry's first consecration and the liberal/progressive presiding bishop laid hands on an openly evangelical bishop who does not believe in gay marriage, in fact does not believe homosexuality is an acceptable behavior. Bishop Curry does. So how will this play out now. Curry says no bishop or priest will be forced to marry gays. The question is how long will that last. You can almost guarantee that at some general convention down the road a resolution will be put forward mandating same. It happened with women's ordination.

Before he retired Bishop James Stanton left in place a number of gay priests in his diocese. It will be interesting to see how that plays out with Sumner. Will he have a live and let live policy that Central Florida Bishop Greg Brewer inspired with recent rulings on those men and women already living in same sex relationships? Most probably. Sumner will not want to rock the boat for sure. He will become a team player in time while holding that he will not allow gay marriages to occur. It will be interesting to see the pushback he gets from a gay priest who wants to marry a gay couple. Time will tell. Another note about this consecration was the appearance of Josiah Idowu-Fearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion from London. He has never turned up to a local consecration before. So why now? One can conclude a couple of scenarios.

He is a friend of Sumner. He needs money from this wealthy diocese apart from what the national church gives him which is now over $1 million. Furthermore he wants to establish his own evangelical credentials by turning up to this consecration, otherwise why show up. He did not turn up for Brewer's consecration in Orlando, a fellow evangelical traveller. Everything has meaning in TEC, nothing is done without full regard to the consequences. Lastly perhaps the Nigerian bishop wanted to send a message to Nigerian Archbishop Nicholas Okoh that he is in sync with the dwindling orthodox in TEC. I doubt Okoh will be the slightest bit impressed. We shall see.

David W. Virtue DD
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