Karen Oliveto

The Reverend Karen Oliveto
Born	April 4, 1958 Long Island, NY
Occupation	Bishop
Spouse(s)	Robin Ridenour

Karen Oliveto (born April 4, 1958) is the first openly lesbian bishop to be elected in the United Methodist Church. She was elected bishop on the night of July 15, 2016 at the Western Jurisdictional conference. Her four-year term of service began September 1, 2016 and she currently serves as the bishop of both the UMC's Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone Conferences; she was officially installed on September 24. At the time of her election, she was the senior pastor of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. Oliveto is married to Robin Ridenour, who is a deaconess in the United Methodist Church's California-Nevada Conference.

Originally from Long Island, NY. She was born on Good Friday (April 4, 1958) and raised in West Babylon, which is on the South Shore of Long Island.

Oliveto is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion (MDiv, 1983) and Drew University, where she received a Ph.D. in Religion and Society in 2002 as well as a BA (cum laude) Psychology, 1980 as well as a MPhil, 1991. Her PhD is in Religion and Society. Her dissertation topic was: "Movements of Reform, Movements of Resistance: Homosexuality and The United Methodist Church. A Case Study

On April 28, 2017, The United Methodist Church's high court ruled 6-3 that while her lesbian status was in violation of the Church's policies governed by the Book of Discipline, she could still retain her position as Bishop and the Church's Western Jurisdiction would handle the matter. The Judicial Council also ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to review her nomination, election, or assignment.

Married to Robin Ridenour, who is a deaconess in The United Methodist Church.

Pastor, Bloomville UMC, Bloomville, NY 1983-1986

Campus Minister Ecumenical House Campus Ministry, San Francisco State 1989-1992

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