Lutheran assembly elects first openly gay bishop

Natalie DiBlasio, @ndiblasio | USA TODAY

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has elected its first openly gay bishop.

Rev. R. Guy Erwin was elected Friday at a church annual assembly.

The church's rules changed in 2009 to allow gays and lesbians to be ordained in the largest U.S. Lutheran denomination.

"I know that many will see my election as a significant milestone for both LGBT people and Native Americans, and I pray that I can be a positive representation for both communities," Erwin told GLAAD, a lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) activism group, about his election. "There was a time when I believed that I would not be able to serve as a pastor in the ELCA. Our church has now recognized the God-given gifts and abilities that LGBT people can bring to the denomination."

Erwin currently serves as a pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, Calif., and is a professor of Lutheran confessional theology at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

"Pastor Erwin's election marks a new and brighter day for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Lutherans as one of our own has been chosen not in spite of being gay, but because he is truly gifted and skilled for office," said Emily Eastwood, executive director of Reconciling Works, in a statement. Reconciling Works is a church group that advocates for gay and lesbian clergy members.

Erwin is also the first Native American to be elected. He is part Osage Indian.

Contributing: The Associated Press