S.C. Episcopalians get bishop

Hundreds gather to see Lawrence become 14th leader of area Diocese

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Bishop Mark Joseph Lawrence

The ordination and consecration service for Mark Joseph Lawrence as the 14th Episcopal bishop of Diocese of South Carolina took place Saturday at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul in downtown Charleston.

Just call him Bishop Lawrence, finally.

Mark Joseph Lawrence endured two elections in a year's span and waited patiently for confirmation that he would be the 14th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. His election was approved in October, and on Saturday, he was consecrated in a liturgical ceremony at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul in downtown Charleston.

Hundreds of people came to witness Lawrence's big day — distinguished guests from near and far, including Benjamin Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria; Anthony Burton, Bishop of Saskatchewan, Canada; Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon; and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, who proclaimed the day after the new bishop during the service.

Lawrence's consecration comes amid recent theological disagreement within the Episcopal Church, which is the American affiliate of the global Anglican Communion, the roots of which trace back to the Church of England.

He came from the conservative Diocese of San Joaquin, a diocese that made national headlines last month when it voted to sever ties with the national church because of its seemingly liberalistic views on the Bible and homosexuality.

Lawrence has said that he has no plans to leave the national church and that he underwent intense questioning by the local diocese before he was elected bishop, to ensure that he would remain loyal to the denomination.

He'll have to be steadfast, because the world is watching, said Alden Hathaway, who preached at the consecration. Hathaway is a retired Bishop of Pittsburgh and bishop-in-residence at Parish Church of St. Helena's in Beaufort.

Hathaway told Lawrence that the state diocese should seize any opportunity to continue spreading the gospel of Christ without being distracted by any controversy.

It's been a long time coming, and Lawrence called Saturday a joyous day.

"Oh, my," the new bishop said, catching his breath after the ceremony. "I feel delighted in this gathering of God's people here in the Diocese of South Carolina with people from all different chapters of my life. ... It's just a joyous celebration of God's faithfulness."

Lawrence is replacing Bishop Edward Salmon, who was elected in 1989 and who retired in 2006. His diocese consists of about 75 parishes and missions in the lower half of the state.

Salmon said he is pleased with his successor.

"I couldn't be happier," Salmon said. "I find him to be a remarkable leader, and I believe he will do greater things than we can imagine. I believe that, and I told him so."

Lawrence, 56, has five children and six grandchildren and is a fifth-generation Californian. While rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Parish in Bakersfield, Calif., his congregation's average Sunday attendance grew by more than half, and the parish's annual budget tripled.

Lawrence said he has high hopes as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.

"A great foundation has been laid in the past by the previous two bishops, and I want to build upon that from strength to strength," he said.