Michael G. Smith
Michael Gene Smith is the eleventh and current diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota. He was consecrated on May 8, 2004.
Michael Gene Smith | |
|---|---|
| XI Bishop of North Dakota | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| See | North Dakota |
| In office | 2004-2019 |
| Predecessor | Andrew Fairfield |
| Successor | Keith Whitmore |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 8 May 2004 |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | United States; Potawatomi Nation |
| Spouse | The Rev. Lisa White Smith |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University Marymount College University of Oklahoma Seabury-Western Theological Seminary |
Early life and education
Smith is an enrolled member of the Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma.[1] He is chair of the Bishops’ Native Collaborative and Chair of the Communion Partner Bishops Advisory Committee.[2]
Smith holds degrees in Psychology, Music, Social Work, and Theology from Oklahoma State University, Marymount College of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.[1] He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in preaching through Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri.[1]
Prior to becoming bishop of North Dakota, Smith served at Episcopal churches Oklahoma and Minnesota.[2]
Considered a theological conservative, Smith was one of the few Episcopalian American bishops to oppose same-sex marriages. After the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved rites of marriage for LGBTQ couples in 2015, Smith said that he could not in "in good conscience" allow same-sex marriages in his diocese.[3]
Personal life
Smith is married to the Rev. Lisa White Smith, also an Episcopal priest.[1] The couple have three grown children and eight grandchildren.[1][2]
See also
References
- "Bishops of North Dakota – Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota". www.ndepiscopal.org. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
- "The Rt. Rev. Michael G. Smith, D.Min.,". bishopsnativecollaborative.com/. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- Glass-Moore, Adrian (July 23, 2015). "Head of ND Episcopal Church says he cannot "in good conscience" allow gay marriages". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2021.