Gary Lillibridge

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

The Right Reverend

Gary R. Lillibridge
Bishop of West Texas
ChurchEpiscopal Church
ProvinceProvince VII
DioceseWest Texas
ElectedOctober 11, 2003
In office2006-2017
PredecessorJames E. Folts
SuccessorDavid M. Reed
Orders
OrdinationJune 1982 (deacon)
January 1983 (priest)
ConsecrationFebruary 21, 2004
by Frank Griswold
Personal details
Born (1956-05-02) May 2, 1956
San Antonio, Texas, United States
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglicanism
Spouse
Catherine
​
(m. 1985)​
Children3
Previous post(s)Coadjutor Bishop of West Texas (2004–2006)

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.[3] He trained for ordination at the Virginia Theological Seminary, and graduated in 1982 with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.[1]

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.[3] On February 21, 2004, he was consecrated a bishop by Frank Griswold, the then Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.[1][4] He then served as coadjutor bishop to James E. Folts, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.[4] He took up the appointment of diocesan bishop in 2006, upon the retirement of Bishop Folts.[1]

Lillibridge retired from full-time ministry in 2017.[2][5]

Views

Lillibridge has been described as a traditionalist and a conservative.[2][4] 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.[1][3] Together they have three children: Sarah, Amy, and Thomas.[3]

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