On January 1, 2026, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Bethlehem will reunify to become the Diocese of the Susquehanna. As we approach this milestone, leaders from both dioceses are working diligently to plan how our ministries will merge and evolve to meet the needs of our new diocese. The Transition Leadership Committee meets monthly to review progress on our path to reunification.
Several working groups have been tasked with planning the future of specific administrative and ministry areas within the Diocese of the Susquehanna. These include:
- Branding and Shield
- Clergy Life and Ministry
- Constitution and Canons
- Diocesan Offices
- Finance
- Legal Process
- Ministry of the Episcopate and Staffing
- Mission Granting Process
- Ordination
- Social Justice
- Title IV
Each month, we will share highlights from a few of these working groups as they plan for our life together as the Diocese of the Susquehanna.
Legal Process
The Legal Process working group is tasked with ensuring the legal side of our diocesan reunification happens seamlessly. This work includes working with an attorney to bring all of the necessary documents to the Attorney General and Orphan’s Court to receive their approval to merge and create the Diocese of the Susquehanna. Among those documents required are deeds to all church properties within the diocese, which will require both church assistance and a title search process.
Episcopate and Staffing
In the Agreement of Union passed at last year’s Annual Conventions, a transition strategy for our Episcopal leadership was outlined. Both Bishops Nichols and Scanlan would remain in place as diocesan bishops in their respective dioceses through the end of 2025. After reunification in 2026, one would continue as Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of the Susquehanna, while the other would be appointed as Assistant Bishop. The decision regarding who would be presented for election as Diocesan Bishop was to be determined through a period of discernment between the two bishops.
As shared at convocation meetings last month, Bishop Scanlan and Bishop Nichols have reached a conclusion. Bishop Scanlan will be presented for election as Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of the Susquehanna at the October 2025 joint Annual Convention, and upon election, her first official act will be to appoint Bishop Nichols as Assistant Bishop.
Bishop Scanlan plans to retire in October 2027, at which time Bishop Nichols will be put forward as Provisional Bishop to serve during the search for a new Bishop Diocesan. The election of a new diocesan bishop is planned for 2029, with Bishop Nichols retiring in February 2030.