Latin American, Caribbean Ministry Consultation Held
Diocesan Press Service. September 10, 1973 [73212]
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- What kind of priest do you need? How many of them you will need in the next five years ?
These questions were asked to the 42 participants of 22 Anglican dioceses in the Northern part of Latin America and the Caribbean that met in a consultation that ended here on August 23rd.
The group had gathered together to "discuss the needs of the region and to establish a coordinated strategy for the development of the Christian ministry. "
A study done in 1971 by Dr. Justo Gonzalez, a history professor at Candler School of Theology of Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., and a well known Latin American historian, was brought up to date and considered by the group.
The study analyzes the historical conditions in which the Episcopal Church has developed in the area and makes suggestions to the existing theological institutions.
"There are a number of tensions in the Episcopal Church in this area today," said Dr. Gonzalez. He pointed out that they are due to "the transition from a chaplaincy church to a national church involved in the problems and hopes in the countries where she finds herself."
Dr. Gonzalez challenged the group to re-think the mission of the Church in this area because "there is no other Christian body that can be Catholic, Evangelical and Latin American at the same time like the Episcopal Church." Dr. Gonzalez is a Methodist.
The Rt. Rev. David E. Richards, Director of the Office of Pastoral Development, spoke to the group about the screening, selection and training of men for the ministry. He suggested more extensive use of psychology because "the vocation for the priesthood is not always manifested in clear terms." He added that it is important for the man to understand himself and his expectations of the ministry.
According to a quick survey, 216 new priests will be needed in this area in the next five years.
" If you are really committed to finding these men, the money can also be found. You must not let your vision of what the Church here must do be limited by traditional sources of budgets, " challenged the Rev. Jack Woodward from Trinity Church, New York City.
One bishop commented later that many times the plans for real expansion and witness are hampered by lack of resources in this part of the world.
The survey also shows that the majority of the dioceses prefer well-educated priests who not only can serve in the traditional parish but also can minister in new areas in education, social action and communication. It was also noted that the training should take place locally although they recognized the importance of centers of theological education in the traditional way.
The consultation decided to create a body that will help the dioceses to evaluate and coordinate their training efforts. It will also serve for the interchange of information and resources.
The new organism will be known as CETYME (Comision de Educacion Teologica y Ministerio) and will be composed of nine members from the different regions that form the area. The deans of the existing seminaries and the Executive Secretary of the Ninth Province will be ex-officio members.
CETYME will have a difficult job ahead besides working in three languages -- Spanish, English and French. There are many cultural differences and states of development of the Church in this vast area. However, there is a desire to work together and to share with one another. A member of the consultation put it in simple terms: "Where there is a will, there is a way. "
The consultation was made possible thanks to the help of the Board for Theological Education and the Trinity Grants Program.