[John] Chane, 65, made the announcement at the diocese's annual convention at Washington National Cathedral, where he received a standing ovation. He told the delegates he is not "burned out or bored," but believes it's time for someone younger to take over.

"I love what I do and I deeply love this diocese," Chane said in the annual bishop's address. "When the time actually comes to turn over the crosier to another, it will be a very emotional time for me."

Chane's exit from the diocese, which includes 89 congregations in the District and suburban Maryland, follows that of his counterpart in Northern Virginia, Peter James Lee, who retired in October as bishop of the diocese that includes eastern Virginia.

While Lee was known as a moderate on the social issues that have embroiled the Episcopal Church -- as well as mainline Protestantism -- Chane was an unabashed liberal on the right of gay men and lesbians to marry. He allows clergy in the diocese to bless same-sex relationships and blesses such relationships himself. He made outreach to the Muslim world a priority and extended a controversial invitation in 2006 to former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami to speak at the cathedral. It's likely he will focus on Muslim-Christian dialogue after his retirement.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops

1. Choir Stall wrote: “Washingtonian magazine named him one of the 150 most influential leaders in the District..” Hardly an honor. When I was receiving that magazine I noticed that the personals section advertised men and women wanting to conduct affairs against their mates.  I dropped the subscription and told them why. To be praised by such a magazine is hollow indeed. And 150?!  Isn’t that just about all the community leaders in DC? Chane’s retirement was forced, I’m sure. Word came down by old Washington that his and Dean Lloyd’s leadership have crippled the Cathedral and has stagnated the Diocese. Above all, symbolism matters to old Washington. The Covenant is being rattled about and Chane is not longer of any use.  But people like Jim Naughton will pull the ropes and see that some equally ineffectual liberal gets the seat to the further shame and demise of that once great diocese. January 30, 4:30 pm | [comment link]

2. Kendall Harmon wrote: http://12.0.101.92/reports/PR_ChartsDemo/exports/ParishRPT_130201033200PM.pdf Some statistics of the diocese recently may be found there I also checked the latest information from the U.S. Census Bureau for Washington, D.C.: In 2000 the population was 572,059 and in 2008 the population was 591,833 (Please note that the diocese of Washington includes more than simply Washington D.C. but this indicates—I think accurately—that there was some population growth in this time frame). January 30, 4:33 pm | [comment link]

3. David Keller wrote: Thank goodness.  Now they can elect an orthodox bishop. January 31, 12:06 pm | [comment link]

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