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 | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Province | Province VII |
| Diocese | West Texas |
| Elected | October 11, 2003 |
| In office | 2006-2017 |
| Predecessor | James E. Folts |
| Successor | David M. Reed |
| Previous post(s) | Coadjutor Bishop of West Texas (2004–2006) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 1982 (deacon) January 1983 (priest) |
| Consecration | February 21, 2004 by Frank Griswold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 2, 1956 San Antonio, Texas, United States |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Spouse |
Catherine (m. 1985) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
editLillibridge 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
editLillibridge 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
editLillibridge 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
editIn 1985, Lillibridge married Catherine DeForrest.[1][3] Together they have three children: Sarah, Amy, and Thomas.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Quick Reference Manual: Gary Richard Lillibridge, DD" (pdf). dwtx.org. Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. May 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Levy, Abe (14 February 2014). "Episcopal bishop announces retirement in 3 years". mysanantonio.com. Hearst. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge". episcopalchurch.org. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Parker, J. Michael (22 February 2004). "WEST TEXAS: Orthodox priest becomes new bishop". virtueonline.org. VirtueOnline. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "Our Bishops: The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, Bishop of the Diocese". dwtx.org. The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ Conger, George (25 April 2015). "West Texas flips over gay blessings". anglican.ink. Anglican Ink. Retrieved 29 November 2016.