The Search for the Ninth Bishop of California

The Rev. Phil Brochard

Rector, All Souls Parish, Berkeley
Diocese of California

Seminary Education:

M.Div – The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, New York, NY

Other Education:

B.A. American Studies – University of California, Berkeley

Experience
Written Responses

View nominee’s submitted resumé

Introductory Statement

Greetings friends,

I was born in San Francisco, baptized at St. John’s, Oakland, and formed in the transformative youth program there. I grew up in the Oakland public schools, then went to Cal. I have served in five of our six deaneries over twenty-five years, for the past fifteen as Rector of All Souls, Berkeley. The Diocese of California is my home, and I believe I am called to be your bishop.

I know our many blessings and our challenges, the great beauty and the wounded spots of this diocese and its people. And, I am committed, with heart and soul, to all of them. Over the years people have encouraged me to consider that I might be called to be a bishop. And, frankly, for some, I look the part. I have wrestled with the question of whether any person privileged as I am — a white, cis-gender, heterosexual man — could be the bishop this diocese needs.

In the spirit of communal discernment, I have listened. I have entered into deep conversations with the people of this diocese and beyond. I have listened to young women, queer folk, people of color, and people from other groups who have been historically marginalized in our diocese. Many of those people, based on the work they have seen me do, and the relationships we have developed, feel I am called to be their bishop.

I understand there will be those who feel they cannot support me before they ever meet me but hearing the honest and considered responses of people across this diocese, lay and ordained, has led me to believe I can, with integrity, lead all the parts of this diocese. They believe I am called because I create and hold space for people of many and varied identities to find their path and follow their call; they believe that I am a natural bridge-builder. In my time as Rector of All Souls, we have lifted up wonderfully diverse lay leaders, staff, assisting priests, and those seeking ordination. I am eager to build on this work, redeveloping our congregations and diocesan leadership until we thoroughly reflect the remarkable diversity of our wider Bay Area.

I am excited to talk more with our diocese about the restoration of trust, creative practices of sustainability, and generative hope for our communities. Throughout this process I have come to trust in the collective wisdom of God speaking through the people of this diocese. This is why I am responding to the call to be our next bishop. Thank you for the opportunity to engage in this holy work of discernment, in a place and with a people I love.

In Christ,

The Rev. Phil Brochard

Video Statement

Greetings, Diocese of California.

I’m Phil Brochard and I’m a Bay Area kid. I was born in San Francisco, grew up in Oakland, and went to Cal. I’ve served in five of our six deaneries. I’ve swum in the Bay, hiked along its shores, watched the sun set over it with my kids.

It’s not just the bay that I love, it’s our people. We’ve reminded the world how to love, chanted ¡Si se puede!, proclaimed that Black Lives Matter. Whether it’s Korematsu v. United States or Perry v. Hollingsworth, we’ve fought for dignity and truth and stood for justice and compassion.

I believe that the Spirit is still speaking in this place. And, our next bishop must rebuild trust, support and resource our congregations, and generate hope for the whole Bay.

I’m a bridge builder. I’ve created space for all kinds of people to flourish, to engender the common good, and to encounter the unrelenting love of Jesus.

Recently my wife biked the Bay, Golden Gate, and Richmond-San Rafael bridges in a day, and I was reminded how all of our communities are connected.

God has a dream for us. May we listen together.

Saludos, Diócesis de California.

Soy Phil Brochard y he sido siempre del Área de la Bahía. Nací en San Francisco, crecí en Oakland y fui a Cal (La Universidad de California en Berkeley). He servido en cinco de nuestros seis decanatos. Nadé en la bahía, caminé por sus costas y vi la puesta de sol con mis hijos.

No es sólo la bahía lo que amo, es nuestra gente. Le recordamos al mundo cómo amar; coreamos ¡Si se puede!, proclamamos que Black Lives Matter. Ya sea el procedimiento legal Korematsu contra los Estados Unidos o Perry contra Hollingsworth, hemos luchado por la dignidad y la verdad y defendemos la justicia y la compasión.

Creo que el Espíritu todavía está hablando en este lugar. Y nuestro próximo obispo debe reconstruir la confianza, apoyar y proporcionar recursos a nuestras congregaciones y generar esperanza para toda la Bahía.

Soy un constructor de puentes. He creado un espacio para que todo tipo de personas florezcan, engendren el bien común y encuentren el amor implacable de Jesús.

Recientemente, mi esposa recorrió en bicicleta los puentes Bay, Golden Gate y Richmond-San Rafael en un día, y recordé cómo todas nuestras comunidades están conectadas.

Dios tiene un sueño para nosotros. Que escuchemos juntos.