Title: ELCA Authorizes Use of "Presiding Bishop"
ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

April 24, 1996

PRESIDING BISHOP

The title "presiding bishop," in references to the bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was authorized for
provisional use, pending action of the Churchwide Assembly.  The
ELCA Church Council took that action at its April 12-15 meeting
in Chicago.  The council recommended the 1997 Churchwide Assembly
adopt the needed amendments to the churchwide constitution and
other related provisions and bylaws to reflect this change.  A
resolution asking for the use of "presiding bishop" came to the
1995 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis.  In part, it said, "for
better order within the ELCA distinction needs to be made between
the title for the office of the bishop of the ELCA and of the
office of synodical bishops."   Due to lack of time, no vote was
taken and the matter was referred to the Church Council.  The
ELCA has 65 synodical bishops who represent geographic portions
of the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and
Bahamas.  Biennial assemblies are the ELCA's chief legislative
body.

For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service,
(312) 380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia
Christiansen, Asst. Dir., (312) 380-2956