South American Episcopalians Join ESA Amid Continuing Struggle with Local Bishop
Episcopal News Service. February 8, 1990 [90030]
A recent decision by a group of Episcopalians in the Diocese of Colombia [South America] to affiliate with the Episcopal Synod of America (ESA) may have more to do with a simmering debate with their local bishop than with a theological viewpoint.
A press release distributed by the ESA has announced that "half of the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia voted to affiliate with the Synod... in protest over liberal trends in the church." Officials at the Episcopal Church Center in New York are questioning that assessment.
"This move represents the latest in a two-year conflict between the bishop of Colombia and some of his priests," said the Rev. Ricardo Potter, the church's partnership officer for the Latin America and the Caribbean. "I am not aware that they [those who have affiliated with the ESA] are in total agreement with the agenda of the ESA," Potter said.
Potter reported that the Diocese of Colombia has been torn by a controversy for "several years" over the leadership style of Bishop Bernardo Merino. He said that several lay people and clergy have accused Merino of operating with "a high-handed and authoritarian" leadership style. Merino denies the charge. "They have tried to work out a solution to their misunderstandings for several years but have been unable to do so," Potter said.
Potter said that the diocese comprises 16 mission congregations, which are widely scattered throughout Colombia. By 1989, 11 clergy, including Bishop Merino, were serving the diocese. According to Potter "high-level negotiations" between the parties in Colombia and the Episcopal Church have been seeking for nearly two years to promote reconciliation in the Colombian diocese.
The stalemate grew to crisis proportions in what Potter referred to as "a deep and profound pastoral problem." On June 4, 1989, five of the 11 clergy met with representatives of their parishes in Bogota, denounced Bishop Merino, and announced that they would no longer recognize his authority over them.
The statement also denounced the "unilateral action to appoint a woman to the Episcopate," calling it a "subordination to mundane values rather than to spiritual values." Referring to the Episcopal Church as "a deteriorated church" the statement concluded, "We officially renounce all association with the Episcopal Church of the United States of America and with the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia."
The ESA has reported that the recent affiliation by the Colombian Episcopalians represents "an international action that significantly strengthens the Episcopal Synod of America." The release includes a statement from the "Colombian churchmen" that affirms their "allegiance to the doctrines and practices of the Holy Catholic Church within the Reformed Anglican Tradition."
Lawrence Thompson, development officer for the ESA, said that the Colombians were referred to the ESA by the office of the Bishop of London. "They called us several months ago to explore a relationship with the Synod," Thompson said. He reported that the ESA required that the priests be "in good standing" with the diocese in order to pursue a relationship with the synod. "We require that all members of ESA be members of the Episcopal Church," Thompson said.
According to Thompson, the intent of the ESA was to "keep Episcopalians in the church." The Colombians were told that they would have to renounce their June 1989 disassociation with the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Colombia in order to proceed with ESA affiliation, Thompson said. He added that he understands that the decision to join the ESA "has reversed their earlier position," which now restores a relationship to the church and local diocese.
Bishop Merino has said that his office has not been contacted by the people who have reportedly affiliated with the ESA. "I am not sure that people in Colombia really understand a clear meaning of what ESA stands for," Merino said. "I think they are looking for some support from outside Colombia."
Merino added that the Diocese of Colombia does not have any official policy on the ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate, but that a "diocesan convention about four years ago supported the ordination of women."
Merino said that "there is much confusion about the whole matter" of the ESA in Colombia. He said that the June 1989 statement had "taken those priests and lay people outside the authority of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion." He stated that he still considers them outside the church because of their action and not "in good standing" with the diocese.
Merino reported that the people who left the diocese "are not a big group," and that some of them have "renounced their former position and come back to the diocese." He said he has accepted personal letters from those who have sought to rejoin the diocese as a way to reconcile. And while he has not heard from any of the people who have now affiliated with the ESA, Merino said he would "consider" restoring their diocesan standing "one by one."
Potter admitted that the disaffected Episcopalians have been unable to find a way to receive episcopal oversight and that the current announcement by the ESA appears to represent "a reversal of their earlier position to leave the Episcopal Church." If this is true, Potter said he hopes that this might "open an avenue to reconciliation" with the Episcopal Church. However, Potter added that he considers the recent events as a desire of the disaffected Episcopalians to continue relating to the Episcopal Church and not as "an example of the expansion of the ESA."