The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith
Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida
The Rt. Rev. Dabney Tyler Smith was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Southwest Florida on Dec. 9, 2006. He was consecrated as a bishop on March 10, 2007 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was seated as the fifth bishop of the diocese Sept. 15, 2007 at St. Peter's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
Prior to his election, he had been rector of Trinity Church, New Orleans, La., since January 2005. The church, with about 2,500 members and seven associate clergy, includes Trinity Episcopal School (pre-K through eighth grade with 329 students), and a counseling and training center.
In post-Katrina New Orleans, he served on the Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative that exists to create desperately needed housing for hurricane victims. He was also on the steering committee of Common Good, a public partnership of faith-based, nonprofit, civic and higher-education organizations that brings the voice of the citizens of New Orleans to the table with the political and business sectors. He served on the Diocesan Rebuilding Committee for the Diocese of Louisiana and on the diocesan executive board.
He earned a B.A. in broadcasting production from the University of South Florida, Tampa (1980); an M. Div. from Nashotah House, cum laude (1987); and a D. Min. from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary with special focus on congregational development (1999). He served at Holy Trinity in Melbourne, Fla; St. Michael and All Angels in South Bend, Ind.; and Grace Church in Port Orange, Fla.
He is president of the Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation and a member of the board of directors of the Dominican Development Group, a trustee of the University of the South and Nashotah House, and is a member of the House of Bishops Planning Committee. As Vice President of Province IV, he sits on the Presiding Bishop's Council of Advice. He was recently appointed by the Presiding Bishop to serve on the Standing Committee on Mission and Evangelism. He also served the wider Church as chairman of the Episcopal Church Building Fund and boardmember of the Seminary of the Southwest.
Born in 1953, Bishop Smith grew up in Florida and married his wife, the late Mary Ellen Krieg Smith, in 1975. They are the parents of three grown children, Ashton, Alicia and Dabney, and three grand-daughters. His hobbies include music (he played guitar and keyboards in various groups for many years), and reading history and biographies.
Find out more:
- Coverage in The Southern Cross of Bishop Smith's consecration by clicking here.
- A history page of Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
- Contact information at the Diocese of Southwest Florida.
News
Rt. Rev. Howe Hosts Friends of Diocese of Jerusalem at Cathedral
Diocesan Office | Parrish
ST. PETERSBURG - The board of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem will meet May 3 and 4 at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, and host a reception Friday, May 3 at 6 p.m.
New York Bishop to Address Southwest Florida Priests at Annual Gathering
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH – Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, 15th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, will address priests in the Diocese of Southwest Florida at their annual College of Presbyters gathering Tue...
Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for 2013 Diocesan Elections
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH - The Nominating Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida is now seeking nominations for elective positions.
Diocese Sponsors Gathering on Planned Giving
Diocesan Office | Parrish
TAMPA – In order to promote parish-based efforts at planned giving, the Diocese of Southwest Florida is hosting the 2nd in an ongoing series of evening networking events in the northern part ...
Lenten Series Features Bishop Smith
Diocesan Office | Parrish
TAMPA - St. John's 2013 Lenten Series continues this Wednesday, February 27, at 6 p.m. with a talk entitled Crucifixion: Loss, with guest speaker the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, Bishop of Southwest Flor...
Former Presiding Bishop Asks Clergy to Reconcile World, Focus on Prayer
Diocesan Office | Parrish
SARASOTA – In a day-long visit with the Diocese of Southwest Florida, former Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank Tracy Griswold III asked gathered clergy to continue to seek deep companionship w...
Diocese Receives $10,000 Donation for 2013 Bishop's Appeal
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH - The Diocese of Southwest Florida has received a $10,000 anonymous donation for the 2013 Bishop's Appeal.
Merry Christmas from the Diocesan Staff
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH - The staff of the Diocese of Southest Florida sends warm greetings from Florida as we count down to the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas. Front row, from left, Bishop Barry How...
USF Mission Celebrates 50 Years
Diocesan Office | Parrish
TAMPA - The Diocese of Southwest Florida celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the USF Chapel Center on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012.
Advent Quiet Day at Good Samaritan Clearwater
Diocesan Office | Parrish
CLEARWATER - Good Samaritan Episcopal Church will hold an Advent Quiet Day on Sunday, Dec. 15. It will be led by Bishop J. Michael Garrison.
Bishop Attends Province IV Meetings in Savannah
Diocesan Office | Parrish
SAVANNAH – Bishop Dabney Smith attended two separate Province IV region meetings of The Episcopal Church, which ran concurrently from Oct. 23-27.
New Worship and Mission Outlined in Bishop's Address
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PUNTA GORDA - New mission work in the Diocese, as well as progress in its current operations, were highlights of Bishop Dabney T. Smith's address to the Diocese of Southwest Florida at its Annual C...
2012 Episcopal Charities Grants Announced
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH - The Council on Deacons has announced 2012 grants from the 2012 Bishop's Appeal and Episcopal Charities of Southwest Florida.
Diocese Dedicates New Diocesan House
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH - The Diocese of Southwest Florida today officially opened their new headquarters office at DaySpring Episcopal Center.
Visitation Schedule for Bishops Posted Online
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH - The Fall 2012 to Spring 2013 visitation schedule for the Diocese of Southwest Florida is now posted.
Baseball With The Bishop Set for Friday, Sept. 7
Diocesan Office | Parrish
ST. PETERSBURG - Each year, over 700 congregants from the 77 churches of Diocese of Southwest Florida gather for Baseball with the Bishop.
Bishop Howe Reflects on Nine General Conventions
Diocesan Office | Parrish
INDIANAPOLIS – The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, sees progress for The Episcopal Church at its 77th General Convention.
Fall Clergy Conference 2012 Set for Sept. 10
Diocesan Office | Parrish
PARRISH – The newly retired Dean of Sewanee’s School of Theology will be the lead presenter at the 2012 Fall Clergy Conference, set for Sept. 10-12.
Province IV Elects New Officers
Diocesan Office | Parrish
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. - Province IV of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Synod June 6-8 at Kanuga Conference Center, elected a new slate of officers to serve in the next triennium.
Bishop to Vestries: Baptismal Covenant Starting Point for Renewal
Diocesan Office | Parrish
ELLENTON – At a yearly gathering of vestries from across Southwest Florida, Bishop Dabney T. Smith called on congregations to “recover a sense of the basics” and reflect on their ...
Bishop Opens Justice Meeting in Pinellas
Diocesan Office | Parrish
CLEARWATER - On March 19, Bishop J. Michael Garrison opened the 2012 F.A.S.T., Nehemiah Action with prayer, uniting Christians, Jews and Muslims to work for justice issues in Pinellas County.
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