Stacy Fred Sauls (born December 9, 1955) was the sixth Bishop of Lexington, serving from 2000 to 2011. He then served as chief operating officer of the Episcopal Church from September 1, 2011, to 2016.
Early life and education Sauls was born on December 9, 1955, in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of Kenneth Sauls and Joyce Ballard. He was raised in the United Methodist Church.Gunn, H. "Sacrament of the poor is key", The Episcopal Church, 30 April 2006. Retrieved on 31 May 2020. He was educated at Headland High School and graduated in 1973. He then attended Furman University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1977. On August 11, 1979, he married Ginger Malone and together had two sons. He also studied at the University of Virginia School of Law, and graduated in 1980. He then became a member of the Order of the Coif. After graduation, he accepted a federal court clerkship and practiced in the corporate law department of Delta Air Lines. In 1985, he entered the General Theological Seminary and earned his Master of Divinity in 1988.Schjonberg, M. F. "Lexington Bishop is Nominated by Petition for Presiding Bishop Post", Episcopal News Service, 13 March 2006. Retrieved on 31 May 2020.
Ordained ministry Sauls was ordained deacon on June 11, 1988, at St. Philip's Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia, and priest on April 6, 1989, at St. George's Church in Griffin, Georgia, on both occasions by Bishop Frank Allan of Atlanta. He served as assistant at St. George's Church, before becoming rector of St. Thomas' Church in Savannah, Georgia, in 1990. After four year, in 1994, he became rector of St. Bartholomew's Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bishop On June 3, 2000, Sauls was elected on the second ballot as Bishop of Lexington, during the 104th diocesan convention. He was consecrated on September 30, 2000, in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King, Lexington, Kentucky, due to its large capacity. He was consecrated by the Bishop of Western North Carolina, Robert Hodges Johnson.
In 2011, Sauls resigned his post in Lexington and became Chief Operating Officer for the Episcopal Church."Bishop Stacy Sauls Named Episcopal Church COO", Diocese of Texas, 31 May 2011. Retrieved on 31 May 2020. He was placed on administrative leave during a financial misconduct investigation that took place in December 2015.MacDonald, G. J. "Bishop Sauls Has Left 815", The Living Church, 15 April 2016. Retrieved on 31 May 2020. In April 2016, he was exonerated of the allegations; however, he was forced to resign his post."Bishop Stacy Sauls Exonerated", The Living Church, 4 April 2016. Retrieved on 31 May 2020.
Honors Sauls was appointed Officer to the Order of St John in 2013 and promoted Commander in 2017.
References
External links Diocese of Lexington news stories Clerical Directories from the Archives of the Episcopal Church