The Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Suffragan Bishop

About Bishop “Kai” Ryan

Kathryn “Kai” McCrossen Ryan was born in Raton, New Mexico and was baptized at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In the Diocese of the Rio Grande, her life in Christ and leadership gifts were nurtured as a youth in camping ministry, the Happening movement, and parish committees, including one that resettled a refugee family. The youngest of four daughters, she attended public schools in Albuquerque where she pursued her fondness for athletics through competition in gymnastics, track, and cross country. 

Kai attended Sewanee for her undergraduate studies, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1986. While at Sewanee, she met her husband, Tim Ryan. The couple married in 1989. They have two children, Natalie and Henry. 

Kai received her Master of Divinity at Seminary of the Southwest in 1992, and subsequently served 20 years in parish ministry, including 14 years as rector of Ascension, Dallas. There she learned from brothers and sisters of other cultures how to lead a multi-ethnic community. From 2014 through 2019, Kai served as Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Texas, leading the ministry staff in its work to implement the diocesan vision. She was elected Bishop Suffragan at Diocesan Council on February 22, 2019. She was consecrated as a Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas by Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry on June 1, 2019 in Austin.