Episcopal Church

Christian Century, June 14, 2003

* The Episcopal Church has elected its first "Generation X" bishop, a sign of hope for young clergy in a church in which only 4 percent of priests are under the age of 35. Johncy Itty, 40, was elected bishop of Oregon on May 17. Once Itty's election is confirmed, he will lead 21,000 parishioners in 78 congregations in western Oregon.

Itty was born in Bhopal, India, and currently serves as the canon residentiary at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, New York. He has also served on the national staff of the Episcopal Church headquarters in New York. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, president of the Gathering the next Generation network of young clergy, said the church needs more young bishops like Itty. Generation X is generally described as those born between 1961 and 1981.