The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia will decide this week who will succeed Bishop Peter Lee, choosing among five candidates to steer the religious body in the aftermath of a high-profile church split late last year.

Lee, who has not yet announced the date of his planned retirement, will reach the age of 72 in May 2010, the mandatory retirement age for his position, according to Diocese spokesman Patrick Getlein. A council will convene in Richmond on Friday to choose a “bishop coadjutor,” essentially a bishop-elect.