Making History: The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has elected its first woman, black bishop

PITTSBURGH — The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has elected the Reverend Dr. Ketlen A. Solak as its next bishop.

Bishop-elect Solak currently serves as rector of Brandywine Collaborative Ministries in Wilmington, Delaware.

She will be consecrated and installed as the ninth Bishop of Pittsburgh on November 13, 2021, succeeding Bishop Dorsey McConnell, who is retiring.

“I am ready to become a Pittsburgher for Jesus!” Solak said in an address to the diocese moments after being elected.

“I am deeply moved. God has done this. With God’s help you have discerned and elected a new bishop, and I am humbled by the honor of the one being chosen. The future of your diocese, which is soon to become our diocese, is bright.”

The bishop-elect was chosen by clergy and lay leaders representing each parish of the diocese during a special convention held solely for the purpose of electing a bishop from a slate of five nominees.

She was elected on the third round of balloting with 56% of the clergy votes and 54% of lay votes. A majority of both clergy and lay votes in the same round was needed for election.

“We are so grateful for the historic election of Ketlen Solak as the ninth Bishop of Pittsburgh. She is a dynamic and collaborative leader who will support us in our ministries of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, welcoming all of God’s people, and working for justice and peace in our world,” said the Rev. Noah Evans, president of the diocesan Standing Committee, the senior governing body that oversaw the election process.

The other nominees were the Very Rev. Kim L. Coleman, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Arlington, Virginia; the Rev. Canon Scott A. Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement, based in Cincinnati; the Rev. Jeffrey D. Murph, rector of St. Thomas Church, Oakmont, Pennsylvania; and the Rev. Diana L. Wilcox, rector of Christ Church in Bloomfield and Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

Afterward, each expressed best wishes to the bishop-elect and gratitude to the diocese.

The Rev. Dr. Ketlen Solak was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She attributes a slight lilt as she talks to that French-speaking Caribbean upbringing, as well as her love of music.

Additional biographical information about the bishop-elect is available by clicking here.

Former Pittsburgh native among those missing in Miami condo collapse