Jacksonville priest becomes bishop for Anglican diocese

Neil Lebhar will lead 5,000 conservative Anglicans in the area.
By Jeff Brumley
Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2009

A Jacksonville priest who led thousands from the Episcopal Church has been elected the first bishop of a new diocese that will oversee about 5,000 conservative Anglicans in North Florida and South Georgia.

The Rev. Neil Lebhar was elected Saturday by clergy and lay leaders in what will be called the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America.

The Anglican Church in North America itself is a new American denomination, having been formed in June largely by those who left the Episcopal Church after an openly gay priest became bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.

Lebhar said he's eager to lead but also glad the position has a seven-year term limit. the rest