Dio of LA elects Bruce as first of two suffragan bishops
The Diocese of Los Angeles elected the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce suffragan bishop of the diocese in the first of two elections taking place in that diocese this weekend. Bruce is the first woman elected a bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles pending the required consents.
Episcopal News Service reports:
Bruce, 53, rector for nine years of St. Clements by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California, in the Los Angeles diocese, was elected on the third ballot.She was elected in the first of two elections for bishops suffragan planned during "Faith and Our Future," the 114th annual diocesan convention held Dec. 4-5 at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside, California.
Bruce received 134 clergy votes and 237 votes from the laity. The ballot required 132 votes in the clergy order and 202 in the lay order. The results of all the ballots are available here. Bruce was elected from a field of six candidates, three of whom were from the Los Angeles diocese. Two candidates were openly gay.
"I am humbled and honored," said Bruce, a native of Pequannock, New Jersey.
"Diane is a skilled pastor and a proven leader," said Los Angeles diocesan Bishop Jon Bruno. "Her gifts and expertise are major assets in this diocese and the wider church and I am delighted with the opportunity for us to continue to serve together in new ways."
The Diocese now goes about balloting for the second suffragan bishop from the remaining slate of five candidates.
I would not be surprised if neither of the openly gay candidates is elected for the second position. The diocese clearly wanted to elect a woman, and the Rev. Bruce is, from what I understand, very well regarded. Her election leaves an opening for a person of color to be elected.
Bill Eadie
Posted by Bill Eadie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 4, 2009 8:55 PM
Between the gender, sexual orientation and racial politics, it doesn't sound like there's much room left for the Holy Spirit. Maybe drawing lots wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Posted by Paul Woodrum![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 5, 2009 9:44 AM
I'm a clergy delegate on the convention floor right now. My feeling is that the Holy Spirit is in this process, and that for the most part, people are voting their conscience and trying not to pay too much attention to checking off demographic boxes.
Also, it is still quite possible that one of the gay candidates could be elected, based on the most recent totals. We are about to hear the results of the fourth ballot.
Jason Cox
Posted by JasonC![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 5, 2009 1:57 PM
Mary Glasspool is elected on the 7th ballot. 205 in the Lay order (193 needed to elect) and 153 in the clergy order (123 needed to elect).
Jason Cox
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December 5, 2009 5:36 PM