Title: Margarita Martinez, Bishop of ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dies ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 12, 2007
Margarita Martinez, Bishop of ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dies 07-032-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Margarita Martinez, bishop of the Caribbean Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died March 11 of cancer in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She was 59. Funeral services will be held March 13-14 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Carolina, Puerto Rico.
"Bishop Margarita Martinez challenged us to confront the barriers we erect to divide us from one another and to cross those barriers for the sake of reconciliation. In her leadership of the Caribbean Synod she gave us a vision of a more inclusive and multicultural church. In ecumenical relationships she modeled the gifts of women in ministry and leadership. She was a strong mentor and spiritual friend to countless young people and newly ordained pastors. Deeply centered in the community of the church gathered around the means of grace, she exuded joy as she presided and preached," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA.
Martinez appointed the Rev. Francisco L. Sosa as acting bishop of the synod Aug. 28, 2006, when information about her declining health was disclosed. Sosa preceded Martinez as the synod's bishop.
Born in New York, Martinez earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Universidad Mundial, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, in 1979. She earned a master's degree in business administration there in 1982, and earned a master of divinity degree in 1989 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia -- one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.
After her ordination in 1989, Martinez served as pastor at Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Bethel, Dorado, Puerto Rico, and Iglesia Evangelica Luterana San Marcos, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. She served as secretary of the ELCA Caribbean Synod from 1991 to 1993.
Martinez was a voting member at the 1995 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, and she was elected an ELCA delegate to the 1997 Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Hong Kong. From 1997 to 1999, Martinez served as associate director for global events, ELCA Global Mission. The ELCA Caribbean Synod elected Martinez to a six-year term as bishop in 2001. At the time of her election she was a mission developer at Cristo El Senor Lutheran Mission, Cayey, Puerto Rico.
Martinez is survived by one adult child, a brother and mother.
The ELCA Caribbean Synod has 6,140 baptized members in 34 congregations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog