Mark Sean Sisk (born in Takoma Park, Maryland, August 18, 1942)[1] was the 15th Episcopal Bishop of New York. He retired on February 2, 2013, when he was succeeded by Andrew M.L. Dietsche.
Mark Sisk | |
|---|---|
| 15th Bishop of New York | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | New York |
| Elected | 1997 |
| In office | 2001–2013 |
| Predecessor | Richard F. Grein |
| Successor | Andrew M. L. Dietsche |
| Previous post(s) | Coadjutor Bishop of New York (1998-2001) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1967 |
| Consecration | April 25, 1998 by Frank Griswold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 18, 1942 |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Robert James Sisk, Alma Irene Davis |
| Spouse | Karen Womack Calvert (m. Aug. 31, 1963) |
| Children | 3 |
Early education, career, and marriage
editSisk received his B.S. in Economics from The University of Maryland in 1964.[2] He had a call to ministry, and went to The General Theological Seminary in New York City, where he earned his M.Div. in 1967.[2] He later received honorary doctorates from General Theological Seminary, Honorary Doctor of Divinity, in 1984, and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, in 1998.[2]
He is married to Karen Womack Calvert.[2] They have three children and three grandchildren.[2]
Sisk was a curate for three years at Christ Episcopal Church, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and then an associate priest at Christ Episcopal Church in Bronxville, New York between 1970 and 1973.[2] He was then rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Kingston, New York from 1973-1977.[2] From 1977 through 1984, he was the Archdeacon of three suburban counties,[3] under the 13th Bishop of New York, Paul Moore.[2] As part of his duties, he started a Japanese congregation, now in Scarsdale, and a Latino congregation in Yonkers.[2]
From 1984 to 1998, Sisk was President and Dean of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.[2][4]
Bishop of New York
editSisk was elected and consecrated bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of New York in 1998.[2][4] He was installed as the Bishop of New York at a ceremony on September 29, 2001, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.[2]
Sisk is actively involved in preaching to churches in his diocese,[5][6][7][8] as well as the cathedral.[9] He raises millions of dollars for Episcopal charities.[10][11] Sisk is also involved in ecumenism with the Roman Catholic Church.[4]
Criticism
editSisk has engendered some criticism from the press for some of his actions as bishop, in particular the firing of a radical priest.[12][13] He was also involved in the controversy over Bishop Moore's bisexuality.[14]
Public comments
editAs a leader in the church, Sisk is often asked to comment on public issues. He has a regular column in Newsweek and the Washington Post.[15] The New York Times often interviews him on social and religious topics.[16] He takes stances on a variety of issues.[17][18] He has written many letters that have been collected by the Anglican Communion.[19]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Episcopal Clerical Directory 2013 (2013). New York: Church Publishing Inc. ISBN 978-0-89869-888-6, p. 883.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Diocese of New York website page on Mark S. Sisk Archived 2008-12-28 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed January 20, 2009.
- ^ Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties
- ^ a b c US Conference of Catholic Bishops website. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ St. Bart's Church website Sermons page[permanent dead link]. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ St. Anne the Virgin's Church website Newsletter page Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ St. Augustine's Church website Sermon page. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ St. John's Church, Tuckahoe, website Newsletter page. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Cathedral of St. John the Divine official website Easter 2008 page. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Episcopal Charities website. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ New York Social Diary No. 3537, found at New York Social Diary website Archived 2009-04-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Christopher Bonanos, "No Sanctuary at St. Mark's: Cool priest cast out", New York Magazine, May 22, 2006, found at New York Magazine website. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Mary Reinholz, "Radical priest resigns, then later rethinks, but is rejected", The Villager, November 5–11, 2008, found at The Villager website. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "Revelations Prompt Reevaluation of Bishop’s Legacy", The Living Church, March 3, 2008, found at The Living Church website Archived 2008-04-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ On Faith: Mark S, Sisk. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ NY Times website Topics: People: Mark S. Sisk. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ andromeda.rutgers.edu website Archived 2008-08-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Integrity website article on Mark S. Sisk. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Anglican Communion official website Mark S. Sisk's letters. Retrieved January 20, 2009.