BANGOR (AP) – An Episcopal priest from Rochester, N.Y., has been elected on the first ballot to be the next bishop of the Diocese of Maine.

The Rev. Canon Stephen Lane, who oversees clerical assignments and focuses on social justice issues in the Rochester diocese, won a three-way election to succeed the Right Rev. Chilton Knudsen, who was Maine’s first female bishop.

The balloting took place at the church’s annual convention at the Bangor Civic Center. The other finalists were the Rev. Linda Grenz, assisting priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and the Rev. Debra Kissinger, who oversees children’s ministries for the Bethlehem, Pa., diocese.

“I’m very excited to be with all of you and to begin God’s work together,” Lane told convention attendees via speakerphone. “I am humbled by the opportunity and thank the Search and Transition committees for their care and Debra and Linda for their companionship.”

Under church law, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to Lane’s election and ordination as bishop. He will serve as bishop coadjutor and work with Knudsen until her retirement in July.

Since his ordination in 1978, Lane, 58, has served in congregations and diocesan staff posts in upstate New York. He also served for six years as a member of the executive council of the Episcopal Church.

Maine’s statewide diocese has 17,000 members.