Overseas Department Broadens Its Operation
Diocesan Press Service. December 10, 1965 [XXXVIII-6]
The Overseas Department in recent years has broadened its operations and has put major emphasis in terms of personnel and resources on Latin America.
These facts can be seen by an examination of the 1965 Statistical Report of the Department.
Missionaries now serve in many dioceses of the Anglican Communion as well as in the Episcopal Church's missionary districts. In 1948 the only such areas were India, China and Japan. Today American personnel serve in 19 Anglican dioceses in Africa, Asia and South America and with the Church of South India. Opportunities for service have also increased with the addition of the Volunteer for Mission program under which recent college graduates serve for two years.
Emphasis is still on the overseas missionary districts and even more particularly on Latin America. Of 467 appointees 156 serve in Latin America. Of 2,563 persons employed in the field (by the missionary district) 1,142 are employed in Latin America. Of 259 institutions supported in these districts by the Episcopal Church 144 are in Latin America.
Included as appointees are all Bishops, American or national, priests and deacons serving overseas and their wives, and laypersons serving overseas as evangelists, Christian Education personnel, diocesan secretaries, treasurers or administrators, and Volunteers for Mission.