The Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff was hired to serve as Bishop Associate in the Diocese of Virginia on a part time basis, beginning in March 2018. Bishop Ihloff previously served as the Bishop of Maryland from 1995 until his retirement in 2007. He will be with us on Sunday, June 16
Bishop Ihloff earned a B.A. with departmental honors in history from Ursinus College in 1964; an M.A. in modern European history from Central Connecticut University in 1973; an M.Div. from Episcopal Theological School (later Episcopal Divinity School) in 1967; a D.Min from Episcopal Divinity School in 1985. His thesis/project was in the area Group Spiritual Direction. He is the recipient of three honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees.
Born and raised in central Connecticut, Bishop Ihloff was ordained a deacon in 1967 and priest in 1968. Before becoming Bishop of Maryland, he served parishes in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
During his 12 years as Bishop of Maryland, Bishop Ihloff worked extensively on congregational renewal, sharing of resources within the Diocese, issues of social justice, Christian formation, and the development of the diocesan camp and conference center. He was an active leader in ecumenical and interfaith work as well as being actively involved in a number of social ministries in Baltimore.
From 2002 to 2009, Bishop Ihloff served as president of Province III (13 dioceses in the mid-Atlantic area including Virginia). In that capacity, he served as a member of the Presiding Bishop’s Council of Advice, advising two consecutively serving Presiding Bishops. From 1996 to 2009, he was a member of the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops.
He was a trustee of Virginia Theological Seminary, serving as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee for 11 years. He is also a former board member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools.