Province of the Southern Cone of America elects its first Chilean Primate
The tenth Synod of the Province of the Southern Cone of America, meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1-5 November, 2010, has elected Bishop Hector "Tito" Zavala of Chile as its next Primate replacing Bishop Gregory Venables.
Bishop Zavala becomes the province's first Primate of Chilean extraction. The role of Primate is a three year renewable term in the Cone.
Bishop Venables is not retiring, but will maintain his present position as Bishop of Argentina and Northern Argentina. In another closely followed vote, the possibility of allowing women's ordination to the priesthood in those dioceses that so affirmed to move ahead (local option) was turned down by the house of clergy; the other two houses voted in favor. The Province of the Southern Cone comprises the seven dioceses of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Northern Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.