To the Beloved People of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord.

Candidates Announced for the Next Bishop of Long Island  
The Joint Oversight Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island is pleased to announce the slate of candidates presented for election of the 9th Bishop of Long Island. Following a comprehensive prayer-centered discernment process, the Search Committee has completed its work and respectfully submits, with the approval of the Joint Oversight Committee, the following individuals for consideration:

The Very Rev. Hickman Alexandre

Vicar of St. James Episcopal Church, Brookhaven, New York


The Rev. Adam J. Shoemaker, DMin

Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston, South Carolina


The Very Rev. Dr. Michael T. Sniffen

Dean the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Diocese of Long Island


Each candidate has agreed to stand for election, and we are grateful for their willingness to continue to discern this holy call. We are thrilled that these candidates bring particular gifts and experiences to our diocese. They represent a variety of approaches to inclusive leadership, knowledge of institutional complexity, various expressions of Anglican spirituality, a spiritual maturity, and strengths in cultural competency which were areas that our diocese identified as essential for our next bishop.


The Diocese of Long Island now enters a season of continued discernment, reflection, and engagement:

  • Participate in a Meet and Greet: There will be four Meet and Greets (one in each of the counties of the diocese). These will be opportunities to get to know the candidates and for the candidates to get to know the people and places of our diocese.
  • Pray: For the candidates, their families, and the Diocese of Long Island as we all open our hearts to where God is moving in us as a diocese.
  • Learn more about the candidates: visit our website here. 


The Joint Oversight Committee invites all members of the Diocese of Long Island to join in continued prayer, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we discern the leader called to serve as our 9th Bishop. We offer deep gratitude for the hard work of the faithful and prayerful Search Committee. We rejoice that these candidates have answered God’s call to continue this process of discernment with our diocese.


The Electing Convention will take place on April 18, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, Long Island.
The Very Rev. Hickman Alexandre
                                                         The Rev. Adam J. Shoemaker
The Very Rev. Michael Sniffen



For more on the Search for the Ninth Bishop of Long Island, click here.