Joe Morris Doss

Joe Morris Doss (born March 29, 1943) served as the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey from 1995-2001. He was elected bishop coadjutor in June 1993 and became bishop diocesan in 1995 following the retirement of G. P. Mellick Belshaw.

The Right Reverend Joe Morris Doss J.D., D.D.
Bishop of New Jersey
Bishop Doss in 2015
Church	Episcopal Church
Diocese	New Jersey
Elected	June 18, 1993 (Coadjutor)
In office	1995-2001
Predecessor	G. P. Mellick Belshaw
Successor	George Councell
Orders
Ordination	1972
Consecration	October 31, 1993[1] by Edmond L. Browning
Personal details
Born	March 29, 1943 Mobile, Alabama, United States
Nationality	American
Denomination	Anglican
Spouse	Susan Doss
Children	2
Previous post	Coadjutor Bishop of New Jersey (1993-1995)
Alma mater	Louisiana State University General Theological Seminary

Biography

Doss was born in Mobile, Alabama and graduated from Louisiana State University and General Theological Seminary; he also holds a J.D. from LSU. Prior to his election as bishop coadjutor, he was rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palo Alto, California since 1985, having held the same position at Grace Episcopal Church, New Orleans, Louisiana from 1973-1985 after being deacon-in-charge of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[2]

Doss announced his resignation on March 12, 1999, with effect coming in place on September 30, 2001, [3] after a tenure in which that diocese was led into the mainstream of the Episcopal Church, though not without conflict and controversy - much of which was aimed at Doss in personal accusations, none of which produced any evidence of wrongdoing. He has since written five books, in particular Let the Bastards Go: From Cuba to Freedom on "God's Mercy" and The Songs of the Mothers: Promises for the Future Church. Doss also wrote an award-winning play, Song of a Man Coming Through, together with his son, M. Andrew Doss, about a death row inmate he defended in 1984. In 1985, Doss was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board.[4] He holds a law degree from Louisiana State University.

Following his resignation, Doss moved with his wife to New Orleans, Louisiana.

References

1. "The Living Church". 21 November 1993.
2. "The Living Church". 11 July 1993.
3. Susan Sica (4 April 1999). "New Jersey's Bishop Doss Resigns".
4. Doss, Joe Morris. "Joe Morris Doss". South Writ Large.