Although the United States Episcopal Church made international headlines Sunday as it elected its first female presiding bishop, local Episcopal Church members feel apathetic toward what appears to be internationally, a controversial result.

“There is not too much excitement or surprise about the election,” said the Rev. Douglas Taylor-Weiss, rector of SS. Peter & John Episcopal Church in Auburn. “Yes it has made international headlines and is another first for the church, but the problems worldwide with this fellowship run deeper than the issue with women.”

Episcopal Church leaders Sunday chose Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, the U.S. arm of the Anglican Church.

She was chosen on the fifth ballot, receiving 95 votes to 93 for six male candidates.

The decision may provoke tensions between Episcopalians and other branches of the Anglican Church.

When the first female priest was elected to the Episcopal Church, the protest was enormous, Taylor-Weiss said. A large number of people broke away from the church as debates as to whether the decision was permissible erupted worldwide.

“The issue of women in the church is really irrelevant now, the presiding bishop does not really have a lot of power,” Taylor-Weiss said. “The deeper issues have to deal with faith and morals.”

Jefferts Schori will represent the church in meetings with other top Anglican officials and other leaders of faith, but she will not have as much power as some religious figures.

Taylor-Weiss predicts that this election will not cause a lot of protest because, theologically, nothing is wrong with the result. In his parish, the members will not feel any effects from her election, Taylor-Weiss said.

It may be a general victory for women as they become more involved in churches.

Jefferts Schori will serve as presiding bishop for the 2.3 million-member denomination.

She will be installed at a ceremony in Washington National Cathedral Nov. 4.