Gary Lillibridge Explained

Type:Bishop
Honorific-Prefix:The Right Reverend
Gary R. Lillibridge
Bishop of West Texas
Church:Episcopal Church
Province:Province VII
Diocese:West Texas
Elected:October 11, 2003
Term:2006-2017
Predecessor:James E. Folts
Successor:David M. Reed
Ordination:June 1982 (deacon)
January 1983 (priest)
Consecration:February 21, 2004
Consecrated By:Frank Griswold
Birth Date:2 May 1956
Birth Place:San Antonio, Texas, United States
Religion:Anglicanism
Children:3
Previous Post:Coadjutor Bishop of West Texas (2004–2006)

Gary Richard Lillibridge (born May 2, 1956) is an American Episcopal bishop. He was the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.

Early life and education

Lillibridge was born on May 2, 1956, in San Antonio, Texas, United States.[1] He was raised as an Episcopalian.[2] He studied education at Southwest Texas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1978. He trained for ordination at the Virginia Theological Seminary, and graduated in 1982 with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.

Ordained ministry

Lillibridge was ordained in the Episcopal Church as a deacon in June 1982 and as a priest in January 1983.[3]

In October 2003, Lillibridge was elected as the ninth Bishop of West Texas. On February 21, 2004, he was consecrated a bishop by Frank Griswold, the then Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He then served as coadjutor bishop to James E. Folts, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. He took up the appointment of diocesan bishop in 2006, upon the retirement of Bishop Folts.

Lillibridge retired from full-time ministry in 2017.[4]

Views

Lillibridge has been described as a traditionalist and a conservative.[5] However, in April 2015, he granted three parishes in his diocese permission to "conduct same-sex blessings".[6]

Personal life

In 1985, Lillibridge married Catherine DeForrest. Together they have three children: Sarah, Amy, and Thomas.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Quick Reference Manual: Gary Richard Lillibridge, DD . dwtx.org . Episcopal Diocese of West Texas . 29 November 2016 . pdf . May 2005.
  2. Web site: Levy. Abe. Episcopal bishop announces retirement in 3 years. mysanantonio.com. Hearst. 29 November 2016. 14 February 2014.
  3. Web site: The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge. episcopalchurch.org. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. 29 November 2016.
  4. Web site: Our Bishops: The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, Bishop of the Diocese. dwtx.org. The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. 29 November 2016.
  5. Web site: Parker. J. Michael. WEST TEXAS: Orthodox priest becomes new bishop. virtueonline.org. VirtueOnline. 29 November 2016. 22 February 2004.
  6. Web site: Conger. George. West Texas flips over gay blessings. anglican.ink. Anglican Ink. 29 November 2016. 25 April 2015.