Ronald Hayward Haines (April 14, 1934 – March 21, 2008) was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington from 1990 to 2000.


Ronald Hayward Haines
Bishop of Washington
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseWashington
ElectedJune 30, 1990
In office1990–2000
PredecessorJohn T. Walker
SuccessorJohn Bryson Chane
Previous post(s)Suffragan Bishop of Washington (1986-1990)
Orders
OrdinationJune 1967
by Jonathan G. Sherman
ConsecrationOctober 29, 1986
by Edmond L. Browning
Personal details
Born(1934-08-14)August 14, 1934
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
DiedMarch 21, 2008(2008-03-21) (aged 73)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
BuriedWashington National Cathedral
DenominationAnglican
SpouseMary T. Ferrell
Children6

Early life and education

edit

Haines was born on April 14, 1934, in Wilmington, Delaware, and grew up in New Castle, Delaware. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Delaware in 1956. He later worked as an engineer with the old Reynolds Metal Co. in Richmond, Virginia. In 1962 he joined another metals engineering firm in New York City. After growing interest in the ordained ministry, Haines enrolled in the George Mercer, Jr. Memorial School of Theology. He also earned a Master of Divinity in 1967 and a Master of Sacred Theology in 1978, both from the General Theological Seminary.

Ordination

edit

Haines was ordained deacon in June 1966 and priest in June 1967 by Bishop Jonathan G. Sherman. He was first assigned to the Church of St Paul in the Bronx, New York from 1967 until 1968, after which he became rector the Church of St Francis in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. In 1981 he became the deputy of the Bishop of Western North Carolina.

Bishop

edit

In 1986, Haines was elected Suffragan Bishop of Washington. He was consecrated on October 29, 1986, by Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning. After the death of Bishop John T. Walker in 1989, Haines served as Pro tempore bishop until a successor was elected. He himself was elected on June 30, 1990. He was installed as diocesan bishop on November 15, 1990. Among his many achievements as Bishop of Washington, Haines is mostly remembered for ordaining the Reverend Elizabeth L. Carl, an openly lesbian woman, to the priesthood on June 5, 1991.[1] He was vocal regarding inclusion of sexual minorities and was a critic of racism, describing it as one of the greatest sins on modern America. He was also the first Bishop to nominate a woman, the Reverend Jane Dixon, to serve as Suffragan Bishop of Washington; she was the second woman to be consecrated a Bishop in the Episcopal Church. Haines retired on December 31, 2000. He died on March 21, 2008, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Personal life

edit

Haines married Mary T. Terrell in 1957 and together had 4 children.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Lesbian ordained Episcopal priest", The New York Times, New York, 06 June 1991. Retrieved on 10 January 2019.
  • Episcopal Clerical Directory 2008
edit
Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
1990-2000
Succeeded by