The US-based Episcopal Church has a new leader for its 23 congregations in Europe. The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe has congregations in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Belgium and France. On Saturday, Bishop Mark Edington was consecrated as Bishop in Charge of the Convocation in a multilingual service at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Paris. The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe works in partnership with the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe, which also has congregations in the six countries.

The service on Saturday was led by the Presiding Bishop of the US-based Episcopal Church, Michael. Curry, and six co-consecrators, including the retiring Bishop in Charge of the Convocation, Pierre Whalon. The Archbishop of Utrecht of the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands, Joris Vercammen, joined Bishops Alan Gates and Gayle Harris (Massachusetts), Doug Fisher (Western Massachusetts), and Ian Douglas (Connecticut). The Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands is in communion with the member churches of the Anglican Communion.

The festival liturgy included 35 additional bishops, 70 priests and 315 lay worshipers.

Bishop Mark succeeds Bishop Pierre Whalon as Bishop in Charge of the Convocation. Bishop Pierre retired on Friday after almost 18 years in the post.