The Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French Elected 13th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina offers congratulations and blessings to the Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French, diocesan canon/missioner for east regional ministry and collaborative innovation, upon the announcement of her election as the 13th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.

French was elected on the third ballot during the diocesan election convention, held Saturday, January 28, 2023, in a hybrid gathering via Zoom and at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey.

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, added his congratulations. “I join with those across the Church in offering my congratulations to Canon Sally French on her election as the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey,” he said. “Sally has been a faithful leader in this diocese in a variety of capacities - as a parish priest, as president of the Standing Committee, and more recently, as a member of our diocesan staff. Her insight and creative capacity have helped us rethink the ways we support our congregations and our clergy and lay leadership.”

French has served in the Diocese of North Carolina since 2013, first as vicar at All Saints’, Hamlet, and then as associate priest at St. Philip’s, Durham. Before joining the diocesan staff in 2020, she contributed on the diocesan level through her time serving on the Diocese’s Standing Committee and her leadership roles on Holy Land pilgrimages.

“As Sally begins this next chapter on her journey of pastoral leadership in the Church, we send our prayers and blessings with her and to the people of the Diocese of New Jersey,” said Rodman. “We also hold in our hearts her husband, Clarke and their children, Jack and Libby.”

French will be consecrated and ordained June 24, 2023, in Trenton, New Jersey.