Ecuador dioceses welcome Presiding Bishop
Episcopal News Service. July 19, 2007 [071907-02]
The Episcopal Church's two dioceses in Ecuador -- the Guayaquil-based Litoral Diocese, and the Quito-based Central Ecuador diocese-- warmly welcomed Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori July 12-18 for visits to congregations, schools and other ministries.
[Note to readers: longer photo and print reports on the Presiding Bishop's visit will be filed as soon as possible in weeks ahead.]
More than 600 people participated in a July 15 Eucharist in Central Ecuador, said its bishop, Wilfrido Ramos-Orench. The liturgy was followed by a festive celebration with local food, live music and folk dances.
The Quito-based Diocese of Central Ecuador is also the site for the February 2008 meeting of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council.
In Guayaquil, Bishop Alfredo Morante-Espana led church members in welcoming Jefferts Schori to their congregations and diocese.
While in Ecuador, the Presiding Bishop addressed various audiences in Spanish on topics including women's ordination and the Anglican Communion.
She also met with leaders in the nation's environmental movement.
The Presiding Bishop was accompanied by her husband, Richard, a retired mathematician, and by two mission specialists from the Episcopal Church Center in New York: the Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, the Episcopal Church’s director of mission, and the Rev. Canon I. Marquez, Latin America and Caribbean Partnerships Officer for the Episcopal Church.
The delegation departed July 18 for the Episcopal Church's Bogota-based Diocese of Colombia.
The Presiding Bishop's time in Ecuador followed her visit to the Anglican Province of Brazil and discussions with its Primate, Mauricio Andrade, and other church leaders.
Photo gallery available here.