For Brazil: Independence!
Diocesan Press Service. November 2, 1964 [XXVI-8]
In action pointing the way for greater impact of the Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence proposals on the life of the Episcopal Church, the House of Bishops, meeting during the 61st General Convention, voted autonomy for the 45,000 member Brazilian Episcopal Church and, by the same decision, created the 19th independent church in the world-wide Anglican Communion.
In 1961, the 60th General Convention had requested study of the feasibility of independent status for the Igreja Episcopal Brasileira. The Rt. Rev. Horace W. B. Donegan, Bishop of New York and chairman of the House of Bishop's Overseas Committee, reported his committee's judgment that all qualifications for receiving autonomy had been met and introduced the resolution calling for the independence of the Brazilian Church.
Bishop Donegan also reported the assurances of this church that "it will be faithful to the tradition out of which it was born," adhering to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Anglican Communion. Further, he stated that the church plans to "strive for progressive evangelization of Brazil" and to "participate in the world mission of the Christian Church." Sound financial planning and proper canonical structure already exist to support the three bishops, 85 clergy, and 150 congregations who carry out the Work of this church.
The Rt. Rev. Egmont M. Krischke, Bishop of Southern Brazil and senior bishop in the Brazilian Church, referred to the "serious and historic decision" under consideration and told the House of Bishops that a large majority of the clergy and laity in Brazil were hoping for autonomy. "We recognize that there will be hardships, " he stated, "but we will do our best to deserve your confidence in us."
Bishop Krischke also expressed his church's gratitude for the Episcopal Church support it had received during its 75-year history and voiced the hope that this support would continue until such time as the Brazilian Church is completely self-supporting. In his report, Bishop Donegan indicated that the Episcopal Church plans to continue providing money and man-power for the newly-autonomous church.
The House of Bishops approved by a standing vote the resolution granting autonomy to the Brazilian Episcopal Church. In response to this, Bishop Plinio Simoes of Southwestern Brazil and Bishop Edmund Knox Sherrill of Central Brazil expressed their thanks to the House and asked for the "prayers and concern" of their brother bishops. A final resolution related to this matter made the three Brazilians "brother bishops" in practice as well as in theory: they were granted seats in the U. S. House of Bishops "whenever they wish to attend" its meetings.