CHICAGO — The Rev. Vivian J. Davila, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was elected June 8 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Caribbean Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 7-8 at the Disciples of Christ Christian Center in Bayamon.
Davila was elected on the fourth ballot, with 42 votes. The Rev. Leonardo G. Ñanco, pastor of Iglesia Evangélica Luterana San Marcos, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, received 19 votes.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Sión, Bayamon, since 2006. Previously she was pastor of Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Ascención in Dorado, Puerto Rico (2001-2006).
Davila earned her Master of Arts from the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus in 1992 and her Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, San Juan, in 2000.
She will begin her term Sept. 1 and be installed Nov. 9 (location to be determined).
The Rev. Idalia C. Negrón Caamaño, who has served as synod bishop since 2018, is retiring.
Information about the Caribbean Synod is available at facebook.com/elcalcs.
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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 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 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
