wfn.org | SOSA ELECTED CARIBBEAN BISHOP

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

News from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

June 5 , 1996

The Rev. Francisco L. Sosa, 57, Reconciliation Lutheran
Church, Levittown, Puerto Rico, became bishop of the
Caribbean Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America on the day of his election, May 25.  Eighteen
names were placed in nomination for bishop.  Sosa was
elected on the fifth ballot; he received 48 votes to 46 votes
for the Rev. Margarita Martinez, San Marcos Lutheran
Church, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.  The Rev. Enrique
Mercado-Cruz, Sion Lutheran Church, Bayam#n, Puerto
Rico, was also in consideration on the fourth ballot.  Sosa
succeeds immediately the Rev. Gregory J. Villal#n who
resigned May 1 to become director for Hispanic ministries
in the ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries in
Chicago.  The ELCA's Caribbean Synod is 7,160
Lutherans in 33 congregations on Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands.

[ELCA News and Information: 8765 W. Higgins Road,
Chicago, IL   60631; phone 312/380-2963]