Morales Reinstated as Executive Secretary for Latin America
Diocesan Press Service. May 4, 1970 [87-2]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, today announced the reinstatement of the Rev. Roberto Morales as executive secretary for Latin America in the Office of the Deputy for Overseas Relations.
Mr. Morales had earlier been dismissed in a reduction in force in the staff of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council, effective May 1.
His dismissal was protested by some members of the Executive Council staff in an all-day "teach-in," by students of Union Theological Seminary and by members of the Puerto Rican community in New York City.
Various groups met during the week of April 20 with the Rt. Rev. J. Brooke Mosley, Deputy for Overseas Relations, to protest the discharge. As a result of the meetings, Bishop Mosley requested the corporate officers of the Executive Council to authorize the reinstatement of Mr. Morales.
The reinstatement of Mr. Morales was approved on April 27. No action was taken on the case of the Rev. Robert S. Seiler, executive secretary for South Asia, who also was dismissed in the reductions in the overseas staff.
Three weeks earlier on April 6 Bishop Mosley had requested the corporate officers to reinstate both men, but the request was turned down.
In a memorandum to the corporate officers of the Council asking for the reinstatement of Mr. Morales Bishop Mosley said:
"In the light of further evidence which has been brought to my attention, especially that which was presented by the Puerto Ricans themselves, I wish to modify my own conclusions in this matter and assign an even higher priority to his ministry than I did before."
Spokesmen for the Puerto Rican and Spanish-speaking community in a meeting with Bishop Hines and Bishop Mosley not only asked for the reinstatement of Mr. Morales but included a request that funds be provided for additional bi-lingual programs for the benefit of Spanish-speaking people. Another request was for the appointment of bi-lingual (Spanish and English) personnel in all departments of the Executive Council.
They said the Episcopal Church "has not served the Spanish-speaking community well up to now" and offered their cooperation in helping the Episcopal Church to become a "meaningful Church" in their community.
Corporate officers of the Executive Council, in addition to the Presiding Bishop, are the Rt. Rev. Stephen Bayne, Deputy for Program and vice president of Executive Council; the Rev. Canon Charles M. Guilbert, Council secretary, and Dr. Lindley M. Franklin, treasurer.