Geralyn Wolf
Geralyn Wolf (born April 30, 1947) is an American bishop who was the twelfth diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church. Wolf was consecrated as bishop on February 17, 1996.[2]
The Right Reverend Geralyn Wolf | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rhode Island | |
 | |
| Province | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Rhode Island |
| Elected | September 30, 1995 |
| In office | 1996–2012 |
| Predecessor | George Nelson Hunt III |
| Successor | Nicholas Knisely |
| Other post(s) | Assistant Bishop of Long Island |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1978 by Lyman Ogilby |
| Consecration | February 17, 1996 by Edmond L. Browning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1947 |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Spouse | Thomas Charles Bair Jr.[1] |
| Alma mater | West Chester University |
Biography
Wolf born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised Jewish before becoming a Christian around 1971.[1] She graduated from West Chester University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in education from Trenton State College, which she received in 1971. At Episcopal Divinity School in 1977 she earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Wolf was ordained to the diaconate in 1977, and the priesthood in 1978, in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.[2]
Prior to her election she was, from 1986 to 1995, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky,[2] the first woman dean of a cathedral. David Reed (bishop), Bishop of Kentucky, had named Wolf to replace Rev. Allen L. Bartlett Jr., who was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Pennsylvania in September 1985.[3]
Wolf serves on several national committees and is the liturgist for the House of Bishops. She is an associate of the Society of St. Margaret, a companion of the Oratory of the Good Shepherd, an ecumenical oblate of Mount Saviour Monastery in Elmira, New York, and has visited and worked with the Taizé community in France. She is the author of several published anthems and articles and creates whimsical figures that are made out of wood.
Wolf falls on the mainstream to progressive side of Episcopal Church politics and in 2003 supported the consecration of gay bishop Gene Robinson. However, she defrocked the Episcopal priest Ann Holmes Redding on account of Redding's choice to embrace the Islamic faith while claiming to remain Christian.[4] In addition, Wolf opposes same-sex marriage and has proposed eliminating the word "marriage" from civil law and replacing it with "civil unions."[5]
In 2007 Wolf married Thomas Charles Bair Jr.[1]
She retired as Bishop of Rhode Island in 2012.
See also
References
- Dujardin, Richard C. (April 22, 2007). "Bishop Wolf weds in "spirited ceremony"". Providence Journal.
- "About the Bishop". Bishop's Office. the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
- Hyer, Marjorie. "Ky. Episcopal Cathedral First to Name Woman Dean." Washington Post. December 13, 1986. Accessed May 30, 2020.
- "Episcopal Priest Ann Holmes Redding has been defrocked". April 2009.
- "The Rhode Island Catholic". 2012-03-14. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2023-02-09.