Source:  Diocese of Quincy (ACNA) Via Email

June 12, 2010

The Diocese of Quincy, a member of the Anglican Church in North America, has elected The Rt. Rev. Alberto Morales to be the 9th bishop of the diocese. Abbot Morales was elected on the 2nd ballot at a special session diocesan Synod which met Saturday at Grace Anglican Church in Galesburg, Illinois.

Bishop-elect Morales is the Abbot and spiritual leader of St. Benedicts Abbey, an ecumenical abbey in Bartonville, Illinois near Peoria. He was one of three candidates nominated for bishop by a special committee formed in 2009 to guide the selection process.

Abbot Morales founded St. Benedict's Abbey in 1985 in Puerto Rico and moved the community to Illinois in 1996 after suffering religious persecution in Puerto Rico. Upon arrival in Illinois, the Abbot opened not only a monastery, but also a church for the people of the local community. Additionally, he started the local ministerial association along with other pastors of the Bartonville area and established St. Benedict's Charities. He has been involved in helping the Church worldwide through his work in missions, spiritual direction, and conducting conferences and clergy retreats.

The other two nominees considered by the Synod were the Very Rev. Canon Edward den Blaauwen, Dean and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral (pro-tem) in Moline, Illinois, and Canon Liturgist of the diocese; and the Rev. Canon Michael Brooks, Rector at St. Peter's Church in Canton, Illinois, and the administrator and Canon Missioner of the diocese.

The vote was vote by orders, with 22 votes needed in the clergy order and 33 needed in the lay order for election. The ballot results were:

First Ballot

Second Ballot

Abbot Morales‘ election will be submitted to the College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) for confirmation. Confirmation requires the consent of at least 2/3s of the other active bishops. Upon approval, an early fall installation will be planned, the date and location to be determined by the bishop-elect in consultation with Archbishop Robert Duncan, Primate of the ACNA and Bishop of Pittsburgh. Until Abbot Morales has received the needed consents, the Standing Committee of the diocese will continue to act as the ecclesiastical authority in oversight of the diocese, in consultation with the bishop-elect.