The Rev. Brian Thom, rector of Church of the Ascension, Twin Falls, Idaho, was elected Bishop of Idaho on the sixth ballot June 28 during a special convention at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Boise.
 
A native of Oregon, Fr. Thom has served as rector of Ascension since 1991. He is also president of the diocesan commission on ministry. He graduated from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1987 and was ordained priest the following year in the Diocese of Oregon. Previously he served as curate at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Portland, 1987-1989, and as assistant rector at St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, Calif., 1989-1991.
 
Voting was close in the clergy order on the first ballot, with Fr. Thom having a slight majority of clergy votes among the four candidates with 17, but he narrowly edged out another candidate for second place among the laity with 29 votes. In order for election, a candidate needed at least 27 clergy votes and 60 lay.
 
The Very Rev. Richard Demarest, dean of St. Michael’s received 14 clergy votes and 19 lay. The Rev. Kelsey Hogue, rector, St. Francis’, Scottsbluff, Neb., received nine clergy votes and the most lay votes with 43. The Ven. Faith Perrizo, archdeacon, Diocese of West Virginia, received 11 clergy votes and fell one short of Fr. Thom in the lay order with 28 votes on the first ballot. In subsequent ballots, the majority of clergy who did not vote for Fr. Thom gradually shifted their support to Fr. Demarest while the majority of laity who did not vote for Fr. Thom moved their support to Fr. Hogue.
 
A cradle Episcopalian, Fr. Thom is a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in forest management. He and his wife, Judith, are the parents of two college-age daughters. A five-time deputy to General Convention, Fr. Thom has been active in mutual ministry, the development and recruiting of locally trained clergy teams primarily in small congregations, as well as interfaith work within Idaho.
 
Although the Diocese of Idaho reports fewer than 5,800 baptized members in 30 congregations, its historical contribution is significant. The diocese founded St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Margaret’s School for Women in Boise. The hospital, now a regional medical center and one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Northwest, is rated among the nation's top 100 hospitals. St. Margaret’s School was the forerunner of Boise Junior College, which has grown into Boise State University, now the largest public university in the state.
 
A tentative consecration date of Oct. 11 has been announced with the service to be held at St. Michael’s. Bishop Harry Bainbridge of Idaho has been diagnosed with Stage-4 lung cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Previously, he announced his intention to retire upon the consecration of his successor. The ministries of Bishop and Mrs. Bainbridge in the diocese were formally recognized at a reception on May 17.
 
Before he can be consecrated, Fr. Thom must receive consent from a majority of other standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction within The Episcopal Church.
 
We invite your response to this article through a Letter to the Editor. Email your letter to tlc@livingchurch.org. Please include your name, city and state.
 
To find more news, feature articles, and commentary about the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion not available online, read The Living Church magazine each week. Click here to start your subscription.