Province IX Explores Role
Episcopal News Service. November 29, 1984 [84241]
BOGOTA, Colombia (DPS, Nov. 29) -- The ninth synod of Province IX meeting here agreed that the dioceses of the province are not yet ready for autonomy and that they need work more at the local level in order to achieve that goal.
This message, which will be sent to the next General Convention, emerged from a discussion in which a diversity of stances on autonomy was expressed. Some dioceses are very close to attaining autonomy, while others indicate several years of development will be needed before consideration of autonomy can be made.
The Ninth Province was established by action of the 1964 General Convention and comprises 11 dioceses in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The dioceses of Puerto Rico and Costa Rica have been given autonomy from the Episcopal Church in the United States but are related to the synod of the Ninth Province. At present, all 11 dioceses are members of the General Convention and are governed by the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Autonomy would mean that the dioceses of Province IX would form a self-governed province or provinces within the Anglican Communion.
The four-day meeting, held at a military officers' club near Bogota, had the theme "Renewed for Service" and many of the synod activities were geared in that direction.
The Rt. Rev. Telesforo Isaac, Bishop of the Dominican Republic, presented a meditation on renewal and challenged each Episcopalian to "preach Christ rather than the Church," explaining that Christ is the Lord of the Church and the one who can "change our lives and give new meaning" to all we do.
Meeting in small groups, the synod members discussed at length an adaptation of "The Next Step in Mission", a program currently being implemented in the United States. The groups were instructed to find the programmatic implications of the study of this document, and a consensus was reached that the process for planning should be shared with the parishes. The recommendations were given to the Christian education committee.
Regionalization was another issue much discussed, since the Province falls geographically into several areas: Central America and Panama, Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
Presiding Bishop John M. Allin was present for the last two days of the synod. Addressing the group in Spanish, Allin said that in a world confronted with wars and rumors of wars, where millions of people are victims of disease, hunger and poorliving conditions, Christians are "called anew, as in the times of old, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed."
Allin challenged the synod to "find the strategy, the resources and the plan to fulfill our responsibilities" in carrying our the mission of the Church.
He also reaffirmed that the Episcopal Church in the United States will "never forget you." He added: "We are partners in the mission of Christ. We need you as much as you need us."
The synod elected Bishop Leonardo Romero of Northern Mexico as president of the Province and Bishop James Ottley of Panama vice president. The Rev. Sergio Carranza of the Diocese of Central and South Mexico was reappointed executive secretary. His office is located in Mexico City.
There was some discord. Honduras' Bishop Leo Frade refused to attend, objecting to the officers' club site, and a woman presbyteral delegate was barred from the closing Eucharist procession by host Bishop Bernardo Merino because that diocese does not ordain women. However, the overall assessment was positive. Carranza said: "It was a good synod. Our struggles mean that people do care and are willing to put themselves on the line."
Attending as guests were the Rt. Rev. Arturo Sanchez, Bishop of Spain, and the Rt. Rev. Emilio Hernandez, Bishop of Cuba.
Episcopal Church Center staff who were present for the synod included the Rt. Rev. G. Edward Haynesworth, executive for World Mission; the Rev. Fred Howard and Ms. Bobbie Bevill of the Education for Mission and Ministry unit; and Mrs. Nancy Marvel, of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief.