Episcopal Church lays off 14 as presiding bishop marks 'major milestone' in churchwide realignment

Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, announced staff cuts and the reorganization of several church departments last week as part of an anticipated structural realignment that will eventually save an estimated $2.13 million a year in personnel costs.

The announcement, including news that 14 current employees’ positions were eliminated, follows Rowe’s presentations to the denomination’s executive council outlining the ways he hopes to reorient churchwide operations to prioritize serving dioceses and congregations. The plans were announced to continuing staff in a memo and an afternoon Zoom meeting before the public release.

In his February 20 letter to the church, Rowe said these changes involved “difficult decisions,” though the realignment is “the first major milestone” toward strengthening church ministries at the local level.