Boston Priest Could Be Next NH Episcopal Bishop

A priest at Boston's Trinity Church is among the nominees to be the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.

The Rev. Bill Rich, who leads many of the education programs at Trinity Church, is one of three finalists named by the diocese on Thursday.

The other two candidates are the Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, who serves as rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, Mass., and the Rev. Penelope Bridges, the rector of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, Va.

"I am honored and humbled by the trust New Hampshire is placing in me," Rich said in a statement.

The new bishop will replace the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, who has been the bishop of Diocese of New Hampshire since 2004. Robinson is the first openly-gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. If elected, Rich would be the third.

The diocese votes May 19 and a new bishop will be consecrated in August, and installed next January.