[Episcopal News Service] The Very Rev. Mark Allen Bourlakas, dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky, has been elected as sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, pending the required consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of the Episcopal Church.

Bourlakas, 49, was elected March 9 out of a field of five nominees. He was elected on the third ballot by the Electing Council meeting at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke.

The other nominees were:

* The Rev. Jeanne Finan, 62, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Asheville, North Carolina;
* The Rev. Gail Greenwell, 57, rector of St. Michael and All Angels in Mission, Kansas;
* The Rt. Rev. David Rice, 51, bishop of the Diocese of Waiapu in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; and
* The Rev. David Cox, 65, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs, Virginia.

Under the canons (III.11.4) of the Episcopal Church, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to the bishop-elect’s ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.

Pending a successful consent process, the ordination is scheduled for July 20 at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre.

The sixth bishop will succeed the Rt. Rev. Neff Powell, who has served as the diocese’s fifth bishop since 1996.

Bourlakas earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2012 from the School of Theology at University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee; and a Master of Divinity from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois in 1997.

Before becoming dean of Christ Church Cathedral in 2007, Bourlakas served parishes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

He enjoys painting, walking, playing basketball and watching auto racing.

Bourlakas is married to Martha and they have three daughters.