Published January 13, 2015
The nation's largest Lutheran group has elected its first woman as presiding bishop.
The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, of Ohio, is the new leader of the liberal-leaning Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Eaton won on the fifth ballot with about two-thirds of the vote. The election was part of the denomination's national meeting Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Eaton defeated the Rev. Mark Hanson, who is finishing his second, six-year term.
Eaton is currently bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod. She is a native of Cleveland and a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and the College of Wooster.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is based in Chicago and has about 4 million members. The Protestant group in 2009 cleared the way for gays to be ordained, prompting some members to leave.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/largest-lutheran-group-elects-1st-female-leader-eaton-of-ohio-will-be-elca-presiding-bishop