Presiding Bishop Hanson's response to Vatican Statement CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a document released by the Vatican July 10, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said the statement does not appear to change the Vatican's previously stated positions, and it will not alter the ELCA's commitment to ecumenism, including ongoing discussions in the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic bilateral dialogue.