Bible Encyclopedias
Senior Bishop

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In the Protestant Episcopal Church, the bishop who is oldest in the order of consecration is thus known. The senior bishop is president of the House of Bishops, and has certain duties committed to him by the general constitution and canons of the Church. Except in case of infirmity, he consecrates the newly elected bishop; he also receives the testimonials of a bishop elect, in case of such election taking place during the recess of the General Convention, and transmits them to all the other bishops for their consent or dissent. Special general conventions are called by his summons on consent of all the bishops; the place of meeting of any general convention may be changed by him. This plan of deciding as to presidency was adopted in 1789; but in 1792 a different principle was adopted, viz. that of rotation. This continued only for a short time, and the order of seniority was again established.