Bishop Allin Hails Lusitanian Consecration
Episcopal News Service. April 17, 1980 [80135]
New York -- Greetings to the Lusitanian Church (Portugal) on the occasion of the consecration of the Rev. Fernando Soares as an auxiliary bishop have been sent by the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He expressed the hope that they "continue to grow in witness and service and in unity with all the churches of God."
The Lusitanian Church and the Episcopal Church have had a shared life and mission since the 19th century and that reached fuller expression in the concordat of full communion in 1961. "The geographical distance between us offered no obstacle because we are one in the universal Church," said Bishop Allin.
The Presiding Bishop cited two particular instances when both churches "joined hands, " first when the Lusitanian Church sought the historic episcopate and more recently when it asked to become fully part of the Anglican Communion.
The Lusitanian Church is becoming an extra-territorial diocese of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A similar action is being taken in relation to the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church which is celebrating its centennial year during 1980.
On May 1, Father Soares, 38 years old and head of the personnel office of a large Portuguese bank, will be consecrated auxiliary bishop in Vila Nova de Gaia, center of Lusitanian work near Oporto.
Father Soares will assist the present bishop, the Rt. Rev. Luis C. R. Pereira, who is planning to retire in the near future.
The Lusitanian Church had its beginning in the reform movement in Portugal more than 100 years ago. The promulgation of the dogma of papal infallibility at the Vatican Council I in 1870, prompted a movement for the return to more primitive teaching.
The Lusitanian Church does not regard itself as a "new" church, but as a restoration of the ancient church of the land without additions in doctrine and worship. Since its inception, the Lusitanian Church has been heavily influenced by Anglican doctrine and practice.
The Presiding Bishop is unable to be present at the consecration in Portugal because he will be attending the installation of the Rt. Rev. John M. Krumm as Suffragan Bishop of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. Bishop Allin has appointed the Rev. Canon Edmund W. Olifiers, Jr., rector of the Church of St. Boniface, Lindenhurst, Diocese of Long Island, to represent him and the Episcopal Church at the consecration of the new bishop. The Diocese of Long Island is a companion diocese of Portugal and Father Olifiers has served as its liaison officer.