William Nicholas Knisely Jr. (born 1960) is the thirteenth and current diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.

The Right Reverend

W. Nicholas Knisely Jr.

Bishop of Rhode Island
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseRhode Island
ElectedJune 2, 2012
InstalledNovember 17, 2012
PredecessorGeralyn Wolf
Previous post(s)Dean of Trinity Cathedral
Orders
Ordination1991 (deacon)
1992 (priest)
ConsecrationNovember 17, 2012
by Katharine Jefferts Schori
Personal details
Born1960
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWilliam Nicholas Knisely & Joann Amelia Myers
SpouseKaren
Children1
Alma materFranklin & Marshall College

Early life and education

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Knisely was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then went on to do graduate work at the University of Delaware. While a graduate student in Physics and Astronomy at Delaware, he decided to study for the priesthood, going on to Yale University's Berkeley Divinity School. In 1991, he completed his Masters of Divinity and was ordained to the diaconate in Delaware, and, in the following year, to the priesthood. In 2013, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.[1]

Ministry

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Nicholas served initially as a priest in Delaware, Western and Eastern Pennsylvania, before becoming dean of the Episcopal cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona. While a priest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he also taught physics and astronomy at Lehigh University. In his clerical duties, he was active in ministries that focused on homelessness, communications, college and youth, finance, and ecumenical relations.[2]

Knisely was the first person to chair the General Convention Standing Commission on Communications and Technology. Additionally, he participated in the Moravian-Episcopal dialog that drew up the agreement on full communion between the two denominations.[3]

See also

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References

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Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by 13th Bishop of Rhode Island
17 November 2012 - Present
Succeeded by
Incumbent