Ecclesiastical Authority

Following the retirement of the 11th Bishop of Milwaukee, the Rt. Rev. Steven Miller, in December 2020, the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee was called to serve the Diocese of Milwaukee as its bishop provisional. Bishop Lee was confirmed as bishop provisional by a special convention of the diocese in June 2021 and concluded his ministry with the diocese at the end of July 2023. 

With the departure of Bishop Lee and our ongoing discernment about reunification with the other two dioceses in Wisconsin, the Diocese of Milwaukee once again finds itself in a place of transition where we feel the best course of action for the moment is to have our Standing Committee as the Ecclesiastical Authority and contract with Bishop Matt Gunter of Fond du Lac to be our assisting bishop.
 
We have contracted with Bishop Matt to be our assisting bishop through June 2024. If the decision is made that we will reunify the three Wisconsin dioceses during that time, that will bring us to the time of the General Convention when we will officially become one diocese. If the decision is made to not reunify, the June 2024 date will give us time to begin a search for the next Bishop of Milwaukee, and we will determine the next steps and needs for Ecclesiastical Authority until a bishop is called.
 
For most of the needs you might have as clergy and parishes during this time, the best place to start is with our diocesan staff. They can help direct issues to the right person. Canon Scott Leannah, canon to the ordinary, and the Standing Committee will be available for most of the needs of the diocese. Bishop Matt is available for Standing Committee meetings, upcoming ordinations, and regional confirmation events.

For assistance, contact 414-272-3028 or .