The Bishop of Northwest Texas, the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, has written to his diocese to report that he has been asked to stand for election as provisional bishop of Fort Worth in succession to the Rt. Rev. Rayford High. In his 10 April 2015 letter, Bishop Mayer said he would remain Bishop of Northwest Texas and assume oversight of the parishes loyal to the national church in Fort Worth if he is elected to the post on 16 May 2015. Bishop Mayer said if elected, he would hold the post until such time as the group was in the position to elect a full time bishop. Last month a Fort Worth trial court held the entity led by Bishop High did not have the legal right to call itself the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and found that the majority led by the Rt. Rev. Jack Iker had lawfully withdrawn the diocese from the Episcopal Church. The March decision has been appealed by the national church faction. However, the long term financial prospects of the loyalist group — if the trial court ruling is upheld — are bleak, suggesting it may follow the example of the diocese of Quincy and merge with another Episcopal Church diocese.

Letter From Bp Mayer – 041015