Western Mexico Elects Espinoza
Episcopal News Service. March 1, 1981 [81079]
GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- The Rev. Samuel Espinoza, vicar of the Church of St. Peter the Apostle in Mexicali, was elected bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Mexico at a special convention held here on Feb. 21. His election must be confirmed by a majority of the diocesan standing committees and bishops of the Church.
His election took place at the third ballot when he received a majority of the clerical and lay votes. The other candidates were the Rev. Atenedoro Roman, priest-in-charge of the work on Los Mochis, and the Rev. Afrain Huerta, currently studying at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, after several years of service in the Diocese of Guatemala.
Espinoza, at age 38, will be one of the youngest bishops of the Episcopal Church. He will succeed the Rt. Rev. Melchor Saucedo, 60, who is planning to retire in the near future for health reasons.
The bishop-elect holds degrees from the Colegio Internacional de Mexico and St. Andrew's Seminary, both in Mexico City.
He was ordained deacon in 1968 and priest in 1969. He has served on several diocesan and national committees and since his ordination has been in charge of the missionary work of the Episcopal Church around Mexicali, capital of the state of Baja California Norte. With the assistance of lay leaders he has been able to establish several congregations in the area.
Espinoza married the former Juanita Millan in 1968. The couple has two children.
The Diocese of Western Mexico was established in 1972 when the country was divided into three dioceses. At present this vast area is served by 10 clergy and many lay readers
The date of his consecration has not been set yet, but it is hoped that it will coincide with the annual meeting of the theological education program set for June.