to find his successor have yet to begin.

Yesterday Bishop Down, who is returning to England after five years of heading Bermuda's largest church, said the election process will take place after he leaves the Island on November 2.

"There is a proper process that will be gone through and there will be an election,'' Bishop Down said.

When asked if he had any insight into who the next Bishop would be he added: "The person who comes next is for the church to choose.'' Registrar of the Anglican Church of Bermuda Mr. Walter Maddocks said members of the Synod can propose and second those proposals for a new Bishop.

"The proposals will then go to the Vacancy In See committee -- which must be formed -- and then they get passed on to members of Synod who ballot for a new Bishop,'' Mr. Maddocks said.

Although the election process will start in November it will not be completed until a later date, he said.

In July, Bishop Down announced his resignation from the post and said because of family reasons and his belief that the next Bishop of Bermuda should be Bermudian and elected on the Island, he felt the time had come for him to move on.

He added that for some time, he had been considering his future ministry and there had two major concerns on his mind.

"The first is there are a number of compelling family reasons why we should return to the United Kingdom sooner rather than later. And the second is that I believe that it is important that the next Bishop of Bermuda be elected here, and hopefully be Bermudian.'' Last October, Bishop Down initiated a review of the procedures for electing a Bishop of Bermuda, with the stated intention of attempting to ensure that new procedures would produce a definite result.

Past Synod elections of a new Bishop have often resulted in deadlock. Among those believed to be vying for the position are Canon Arnold Hollis, Canon James Francis, and Archdeacon Ewen Ratteray.

Archdeacon Ratteray will act as Bishop following Bishop Down's departure.