Diane Jardine Bruce - "I Am Humbled And Honored"

From Episcopal Life:

The Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce became the first woman elected a bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles on Dec. 4, pending the required consents.
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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."

From the LA Times:

Delegates praised Bruce for her strong resume and personal qualities.

In addition, said the Rev. Warren Nyback, a retired diocesan priest and convention delegate: "It's an indication that the diocese is getting tired of male bishops. There's been a yearning for a long time, especially among women clergy."

Indeed! Thank you, Warren Nyback, for your words. I fear that too many of your fellow men will not echo my thanks.

In an interview after her election, Bruce said she hoped to use the position to "keep people connected, to listen to where the spirit is moving." Choking up, she added: "You never expect something like this."
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An Irvine resident, she has specialized in interfaith work, social-service outreach and multicultural ministries, according to the diocese. She speaks Spanish and Mandarin and holds a master of divinity degree from the Claremont School of Theology and a bachelor's degree in linguistics from UC Berkeley.

The bishop-elect, who prefers to be called Diane, is an excellent choice as a suffragan in Los Angeles. Her election is overshadowed by the more controversial election of Mary Glasspool, a partnered lesbian, more's the pity. I long for the days when the election of a lesbian or gay bishop will be no more controversial or newsworthy than the election of any other bishop.