A native of Washington, D.C., Clark previously served as canon to the ordinary and chief of staff under Budde in the Diocese of Washington. She pursued the priesthood after the death of her mother, who did not approve of women’s ordination.
But the Diocese of Chicago, Clark said after her election, “really captured my heart.” The diocese includes 122 congregations and more than 31,000 baptized members in northern and west-central Illinois.
Clark succeeds Bishop Jeffrey D. Lee, who was unable to attend Saturday’s service.
But Lee recalled Clark’s election in December in a statement on the diocese website, saying, “Even as we peered through our Zoom screens at one another, navigating the unfamiliar territory of a virtual bishop election, your sense that she was called to serve with you — that the Holy Spirit was drawing you together — was palpable.”
“It was a joyful occasion.”
Bishop Paula Clark was ordained as the first female and first Black bishop to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago on Sept. 17, 2022, at the Westin Chicago Lombard in suburban Lombard, Illinois. RNS photo by Emily McFarlan Miller
Saturday’s service also was full of joy — a quality Clark brings to everything she does, Budde said.
The Diamano Dancers and Drummers performed a West African dance called lamba as they processed into the service alongside Episcopal, ecumenical and interfaith clergy from across the Chicago diocese and beyond.
More than 20 clergy had followed Clark from Washington, D.C., where she is “much beloved,” said Canon Anne-Marie Jeffery of the Diocese of Washington.
About 125 members of the Union of Black Episcopalians had come from across the country the night before the ordination for a reception to revel in the church’s celebration of people of color. Even more had arrived Saturday morning, said the Very Rev. Kim L. Coleman, president of the Union of Black Episcopalians.
They wanted to show a “tangible representation of our love” for the new bishop as she leads the diocese — where, Coleman pointed out, the Union of Black Episcopalians’ first president, the Rt. Rev. Quintin Ebenezer Primo, Jr., once served as suffragan bishop.
“She (Clark) overcame and is an example for us, so it’s a very proud moment,” Coleman said.
Many clergy danced and clapped as they processed, their smiles clear even under face masks.
Bishop Paula Clark was ordained as the first female and first Black bishop to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago on Sept. 17, 2022, at the Westin Chicago Lombard in suburban Lombard, Illinois. RNS photo by Emily McFarlan Miller
After all that had happened in the last two years, after the vestments were placed over Clark’s shoulders, after she had led the recitation of a confession of faith and presided over Communion, the new bishop lifted her hands.
She clapped along with the song she had chosen for the choir to sing at that moment: “(Lord) you are the source of my strength / You are the strength of my life / I lift my hands in total praise to you.”
Clark appeared to wipe tears from her eyes as the ordination service ended in prayer.
“Thanks be to God,” the people responded, following the order of service.
Then, impromptu: “We have a bishop!”
This article originally appeared here.
