The Episcopal Church has elected the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as the 28th presiding bishop, succeeding Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Rowe, currently the bishop of Northwest Pennsylvania and bishop provisional of Western New York, was elected by the House of Bishops on June 26 and confirmed by the House of Deputies at the 81st General Convention.

Rowe's election took place on the first ballot during a closed session at Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Louisville. The news of his election was greeted with cheers from the standing-room-only crowd at the convention hall in the Kentucky International Convention Center. The House of Deputies confirmed his election with a nearly unanimous majority of 95%.

At 49 years old, Rowe becomes the youngest bishop ever elected to serve as the church's presiding bishop. He has led the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania since 2007 and currently serves as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York. Rowe had previously served as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Bethlehem from 2014 to 2018.

With his election, Rowe will assume his role as the public face and chief pastor of The Episcopal Church on November 1, 2022. He will be responsible for presiding over the House of Bishops, chairing the Executive Council, visiting every Episcopal diocese, participating in the ordination and consecration of bishops, and more, as outlined by The Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons.

Rowe's election came after a nomination process led by the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop. A slate of five nominees, including Rowe, were considered by the conference. To secure his win, Rowe needed at least 82 votes from the 158 bishops who cast their handwritten ballots. Ultimately, he received 89 votes.

The installation of Rowe as the new presiding bishop is scheduled for November 2 at Washington National Cathedral, the traditional seat of the presiding bishop. He will succeed Bishop Curry, who became the church's first Black presiding bishop in 2015.

The Episcopal Church has a history of breaking barriers, with Katharine Jefferts Schori serving as the first female presiding bishop after being elected in 2006. Her predecessor, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, was the first to serve a nine-year term after the church shortened the presiding bishop's tenure from 12 years.

The church's triennial gathering, General Convention, played a significant role in Rowe's election, with authority divided between the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The process involved the bishops electing Rowe and the deputies confirming his election.

The news conference featuring Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will provide further coverage later in the day. Rowe will also deliver a sermon at General Convention's final Holy Eucharist on June 28.