Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt Reelected Bishop of the ELCA Southern Ohio Synod

CHICAGO (June 12, 2025) — The Rev. Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt was reelected June 6 to serve a third six-year term as bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 6-7 at the Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio.

Dillahunt was reelected on the first ballot, with 171 votes. A total of 169 votes were needed for election.

Dillahunt was elected bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod in 2013. She previously served as assistant to the synod bishop (1996-2013); co-pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Eaton, Ohio (1994-1996); associate pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, Ohio (1990-1994); co-pastor of Faith in Christ Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio (1988-1990); and pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, also in Springfield (1987-1988).

She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1981 and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus in 1986. Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University is one of seven ELCA seminaries.

Information about the Southern Ohio Synod is available at their website.