The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe Elected 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

Updated: July 3, 2024

The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, was elected the 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church at the 81st General Convention on Wednesday, June 26. He was elected on the first ballot by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies shortly thereafter.

As shared by The Episcopal Church, Rowe was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Grove City College, a master of divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University.

Rowe was the youngest Episcopal priest in the U.S. when he was ordained in 2000 at age 24, and he was the youngest member of the House of Bishops when he was ordained and consecrated at age 32. Rowe, 49, was ordained bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania in 2007 and became bishop provisional of Western New York in 2019. From 2014 to 2018, he served as bishop provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem.

WATCH: Press conference with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe

WATCH/READ: Presiding Bishop-elect Rowe's Closing Eucharist sermon and transcript

Rowe's nine-year term as Presiding Bishop will begin November 1, 2024. Before the close of General Convention, The Episcopal Church announced that Presiding Bishop-elect Rowe's installation "will forego the traditional installation service in Washington National Cathedral in favor of a smaller, simpler ceremony in the chapel at the church’s New York headquarters."

Said Rowe, "“With gratitude to all involved, I have decided to begin this ministry in a new way. With a simple service at the Church Center that will include everyone via livestream, we can care for God’s creation by reducing our collective carbon footprint. I have great respect and admiration for the ministry of Washington National Cathedral. My seating will take place in the following months, and I am grateful to Dean Hollerith and the cathedral staff as we plan for that event.”