New Presiding Bishop
The term of office of the Most Reverend Johannes van Alphen as Presiding Bishop ends on April 17, 2000. The General Episcopal Synod has chosen the Most Reverend Ian Hooker to be the new Presiding Bishop of The Liberal Catholic Church. His appointment commences as of April 18, 2000. He may be reached via e-mail at PB@Lcc.cc. The Right Reverend Johannes, Presiding Bishop Emeritus, can from now be reached at his e-mail address Johannes@Lcc.cc.

The new Presiding Bishop, accompanied by his wife Carla, will shortly be on a worldwide tour, starting in New Zealand with the consecration of the Right Reverend Walter Turvey, then proceed to Ojai in California, Chicago in Illinois. Thereafter they will cross the Atlantic to visit the Netherlands, Denmark and finally the Province of Great Britain and Ireland to preside over the Twelfth General Episcopal Synod. From there he and Carla will return home in July of this year. In the meantime, the Presiding Bishop Emeritus will also be on an extensive tour through Europe, visiting many Provinces and other areas with a Liberal Catholic presence.

Consecration of a Bishop for Great Britain & Ireland
On April 15, 2000, at the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Camberley, the Right Reverend Graham Wale is to be consecrated as a Bishop. Upon his consecration, he will be appointed Auxiliary Bishop and Episcopal Vicar General for the Province of Great Britain & Ireland. The Consecrator will be the Most Reverend Johannes van Alphen and the Right Reverends Philip Draaisma (Netherlands) and Rudolf Hammer (Central Europe) will assist him, while Bishops Christian Schoch (France) and François Seyfried (France) will be in attendance. As from April 18, 2000, the Most Reverend Ian Hooker will take over the Office of Ordinary ex officio for the Province.

Election of a Bishop for New Zealand
On March 18, 2000, the General Episcopal Synod elected the Reverend Walter William Turvey to the Episcopacy. Upon his consecration as a Bishop, the Right Reverend Walter Turvey will be appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Province of New Zealand. The consecration is to take place on Sunday, April 30, 2000, the service commencing at 10.00 a.m. at the Pro-Cathedral Church of St Francis, Auckland. The Consecrator will be the Most Reverend Ian Hooker and the Right Reverends Alfred Lambden (New Zealand) and Raymond Pointon (New Zealand) will assist him.

Province of Ghana
The General Episcopal Synod has redefined the Diocese of Ghana as the Province of Ghana and has appointed the Right Reverend Isaac Zaney as Regionary Bishop for the Province of Ghana.

Consecration of a Bishop for South Africa
The consecration of the Right Reverend Boudewijn Goudriaan took place on the Feast of Quinqagesima, Sunday, March 5, 2000. Bishop Boudewijn was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Province of South Africa. As the Regionary Bishop for the Province of South Africa, the Most Reverend Johannes van Alphen, is to turn 75 in August, 2000, Bishop Boudewijn Goudriaan is then to become the new Regionary Bishop for the Province.