Bishop-elect Dorothy Wells

The ROCHET and CHIMERE are worn by bishops as “choir dress” in non-Eucharistic liturgies such as the Daily Office or in a diocese where a cope and mitre are not preferred. “Choir dress” is traditionally worn by clergy in public prayer when they are not part of the altar party and are seated in the choir. For example, if they are preaching but not presiding.  The scarf will have the Diocesan Seal on one side and The Episcopal Church seal on the other.

The COPE is a long mantle or cloak, open in the front and fastened with a band or clasp across the chest. From the Latin capa, meaning cape, it may be worn by any rank of the clergy on festival occasions.

Bishop-elect Wells will be receiving a red and white cope.  

The MITRE is perhaps the most distinctive symbol of the bishop. The shape of the mitre is reminiscent of the tongues of fire that rested on the heads of the Apostles gathered in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. Attached to the back of the mitre are two strips of cloth, called fanons, which are symbolic of the spirit and authority of the Old and New Testaments. The mitre is a reminder of a bishop’s apostolic authority and ministry of “proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel” to the Church and to the world.

Bishop-elect Wells will be receiving a red and white mitre to coordinate with her red and white cope, as well as a gold and solid white mitre.

Another distinctive symbol of a bishop is the CROZIER, a staff with a curved or hooked top similar in appearance to a traditional shepherd’s staff. It is an object that is not only symbolic of the bishop’s role as Chief Shepherd or Pastor, but also of the governing office of the bishop; thus it is a symbol of mercy and compassion, but also of firmness and the correction of vices.

Since the Middle Ages, each new bishop has received an EPISCOPAL RING as a sign of office. Like a wedding ring, an Episcopal Ring is a symbol of the bishop's faithfulness to God and the Church. The ring is used as an official seal on documents that call for the bishop to affix a seal in wax. Each visiting bishop impressed a wax seal on the bishop’s ordination certificate before the liturgy began.