Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori during her sermon in 2014 at Church of the Advocate uses a pair of red high heels to illustrate the expectations set upon ordained women. Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg/Episcopal News Service

[Episcopal Diocese of San Diego] We are excited to announce the selection of former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as our assisting bishop.

Jefferts Schori will begin her tenure with us on Aug. 13. She will serve three-quarters time performing episcopal functions such as visitations, confirmations, ordinations and receptions. She will share with the standing committee the task of providing leadership and vision for the diocese and shall generally perform the functions of a diocesan bishop as delegated to her by the standing committee in its capacity as the ecclesiastical authority during the transition. She will work closely with the executive council as well.

Jefferts Schori served as the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church from 2006 until 2015. Prior to her role as primate, she was the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada.

She earned a biology degree from Stanford University in 1974, followed by a master’s in oceanography in 1977 and a doctorate, also in oceanography, in 1983 from Oregon State University. In 1994 she earned a master’s in divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

She is married to Richard Schori, a retired topology professor. Their daughter, Katharine, served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force; she separated as a major. Bishop Jefferts Schori is an instrument-rated pilot and is fluent in Spanish.

We thank you for your continued prayers as we move forward with this transition.