For the second time in three years a first-ballot election of a bishop took place in the Diocese of Albany. The Rev. David J. Bena, 55, rector of Calvary Church, Burnt Hills, N.Y., was elected bishop suffragan Dec. 4 in the Cathedral of All Saints' in Albany, N.Y.

Prior to his service at Calvary, Fr. Bena was a career officer in the U.S. military, eventually serving as executive assistant to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces. He is married to Mary Ellen Knott Bena. The couple has three children, Laurel, 31, Christopher, 28, and Sarah, 14.

The bishop-elect will serve with the Rt. Rev. Daniel W. Herzog who asked for a " ... strong partner to help lead the diocese into the next millennium."

Fr. Bena's role will be to assist Bishop Herzog in achieving the diocesan goal of operation as one church with 130 parishes. His consecration, subject to necessary consents, is scheduled for June 3, 2000, as part of the diocesan convention.

He is a graduate of Stetson University and Virginia Theological Seminary. Following ordination in the Diocese of East Carolina, he was assistant at Christ Church, New Bern, N.C., 1973-75; associate at St. Matthew's, Austin, Texas, 1975-78, and served in various military chaplaincies until 1992, when he became assistant to the Bishop Suffragan of the Armed Forces.

Others who were nominated are: the Rev. Lance B. Almeida, rector of St. Andrew's, Millinocket, Maine; the Rev. Joseph A. Caron II, chaplain for the New York State Department of Correctional Services; the Rev. Mark R. Cole, rector of St. James', Oneonta, N.Y.; the Rev. William R. Hinrichs, rector of St. George's, Clifton Park, N.Y.; and the Rev. Joseph Keblesh, Jr., rector of St. Matthew's, Toledo, Ohio.