CHICAGO (August 25, 2021) – The Executive Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church Council has acted on Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's recommendation to appoint Carlos Peña as the ELCA's interim vice president, effective immediately.
Peña previously served as vice president for two terms, having first been elected by the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. He decided not to seek reelection and was succeeded by William "Bill" Horne II at the 2016 Churchwide Assembly. Horne passed away on Aug. 14 in Clearwater, Fla.
"Carlos has graciously accepted this interim role, and I know he will serve this church well as he has previously," Eaton said.
Peña will serve as interim until Oct. 31, 2022. The new vice president will be elected by the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, with the six-year term beginning Nov. 1, 2022.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
