wfn.org | Hougen Elected Bishop in Iowa

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News from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

May 21, 1996

HOUGEN ELECTED BISHOP IN IOWA

The Rev. Philip L. Hougen, Grace Lutheran Church, Des
Moines, will succeed the Rev. Paul M. Werger as bishop
of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.  Hougen received 238 votes
on the fifth ballot for bishop May 18 during the synod's
annual assembly.  He will begin his six-year term on July
31.  The Rev. Roy C. Nilsen, Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa
City, received 208 votes on the fifth ballot.  There were 82
names in consideration on the first, nominating ballot.  An
assistant to Bishop Werger, the Rev. Myron D. Herzberg,
lead voting on the third ballot but was eliminated on the
fourth ballot.  Werger has served as bishop since the
formation of the ELCA in 1988.  Prior to that he was a
bishop in the former Lutheran Church in America.

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