A former Air Force intelligence officer who has served the same small Warren County, N.Y. parish for more than a decade was elected bishop coadjutor of Albany on March 25. The Very Rev. Canon William H. Love, 48, rector of St. Mary’s, Lake Luzerne, was elected on the fourth ballot by a majority of both lay and clerical ballots.

The total number of canonically resident clergy voting was 157, with 80 needed as a simple majority, and the total number of parishes voting was 105, with 54 needed as a simple majority. Canon Love received 84 clergy votes, and 62 of the parish deputations voted for him.

In written responses to questions posed by the diocese to all candidates, Canon Love affirmed that “there are no circumstances in which I would authorize the use of rites for, or any practice of, same-sex blessing, union, or marriage in this diocese or anywhere else in the Church,” nor would he “knowingly or purposely permit or approve the ordination or licensing of a person who is sexually active outside the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman.”

A Dallas native, the bishop-elect is a 1980 graduate of Southwest Texas State University. Following his Air Force service, he went on to earn his master’s degree from the State University of New York-Plattsburgh, and his M.Div. from Nashotah House.

He was ordained deacon in the Diocese of Albany in 1991 and priest the following year. His first assignment was as dean’s vicar at All Saints’ Cathedral, Albany, serving there until 1992, when he became rector of the Lake Luzerne parish. According to his resume, St. Mary’s average Sunday attendance has grown from 20 to 85 during his tenure at the parish. He and his wife, Karen, have two children.

If sufficient consents are received at General Convention, Canon Love is scheduled to be consecrated September 16 at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany.

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