The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has formally appointed a new Presiding Bishopric following last week’s call of Elder Gérald Caussé to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. On Friday, the First Presidency named Bishop W. Christopher Waddell as the Church’s 16th Presiding Bishop, with Bishop L. Todd Budge as first counselor and Bishop Sean Douglas as second counselor.
Bishop Waddell has served in the Presiding Bishopric since 2016 and previously held roles as a general authority seventy, area seventy, and mission president in Barcelona, Spain. Born in Los Angeles, the 66-year-old leader built a successful career with Merrill Lynch before transitioning full-time to Church service. He and his wife, Carol Stansel, are parents of four children.
What the Presiding Bishopric Oversees
Operating under the direction of the First Presidency, the Presiding Bishopric manages global humanitarian aid, welfare programs, tithing funds, fast offerings, Church facilities, and membership records. Their assignments require continual international travel to minister and support Latter-day Saints worldwide.
When first called to the Bishopric, Bishop Waddell emphasized that every aspect of their stewardship centers on guiding individuals back to God. “If we do everything thinking ultimately of exalting God’s children … it all goes to the same place in the end,” he said in a Church Newsroom statement.
A Focus on Stewardship and Sustainability
Beyond welfare and humanitarian work, the Bishopric also prioritizes environmental stewardship. Bishop Waddell has been vocal in promoting sustainability, particularly regarding water conservation in Utah. In relation to the Great Salt Lake’s preservation, he urged communities to act with “faith and perseverance” to care for the earth’s resources.
In his most recent general conference address in October 2023, Bishop Waddell highlighted the example of Jesus Christ, describing Him as the greatest leader, healer, and humanitarian.
The New Counselors: Budge and Douglas
Bishop Budge, 65, previously served as a general authority seventy and joined the Presiding Bishopric in 2020. His extensive Church service includes roles in his home stake and as a mission president in Tokyo, Japan. Known for his humanitarian emphasis, Bishop Budge delivered the Church’s historic $32 million donation to the World Food Programme in 2022, calling acts of giving a path to becoming “a little holier.”
Bishop Douglas, 61, was serving as an area president in Mexico at the time of his call. A Salt Lake City native, he built a successful career as an accountant and later as CFO of Huntsman Corporation. He and his wife, Ann Dickson, have four children. In August, Bishop Douglas addressed a religious freedom congress in León, Mexico, asserting that religious liberty is essential to peace and urging faith communities to aid migrants, victims of violence, and those living in poverty.
A New Chapter of Global Ministry
With the new Bishopric in place, the Church enters a fresh chapter of worldwide outreach, emphasizing humanitarian aid, environmental responsibility, and Christ-centered leadership. The transition follows a decade of service from former Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, now the newest Apostle of the Church.
For more details on leadership roles within the faith, visit the official Church of Jesus Christ website.
