Bishop Alfredo Morante of the Diocese of Ecuador Litoral and his wife Olga visited the Episcopal Church Center this week. Wednesday morning he gave a general briefing, in Spanish. We had translators, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was able understand on my own before hearing the translation. That is a good thing, considering my upcoming trip to the Diocese of Ecuador Central next month. These are my notes from the briefing.
Bishop Morante began by saying that this was the first time he has been invited here [to the Church Center]. Since becoming bishop in 1994, he has been working on a plan to establish [and implement] seven diocesan goals:
1. Evangelism
2. Stewardship
3. Christian Education
4. Ecumenism
5. Communications
6. Social Activities [work, i.e., clinics, etc.]
7. Secular Education through diocesan schools (there is currently no nationwide system of education)
After General Convention 2006 they have added the Millennium Development Goals, which he feels are very important.
Issues facing the church in his diocese are emigration, poverty, and unemployment. Emigration is a serious issue because of the effect it has on families—either the father or the mother leaving to go to the U.S. or Europe to find work. Not only are there environmental issues, but there are political ones. The new president, Rafael Correa, held a referendum (on a Sunday) on revising the constitution to place more power in the office of the president. Even though it passed, many people fear focusing so much power in one branch of the government. Venezuela exerts a lot of political influence in Ecuador (the day after the referendum, President Correa met with President Chavez in Venezuela). There is also a sense of isolation from The Episcopal Church, and to some extent Province IX, since the churches in Mexico, Brazil, and other places became independent of The Episcopal Church.
The diocese has 34 mission congregations in four provinces (Guayas, Los Rios, Manavilla?, and the Galapagos) and 10 clergy, including both priests and deacons. There are two female deacons and one female priest. The bishop expressed a great deal of enthusiasm and support for his female clergy. The diocesan theological center, Centro San Patricio, currently has 18 students, including four women, and five students are expected to graduate next year and be ordained as deacons. These theological students assist in the mission congregations. They face financial challenges to compensate their clergy—and all clergy are paid by the diocese—something that will become even more difficult as new clergy are ordained.
They have a companion diocese relationship with the Diocese of Tennessee but would like to develop others.
They have commissions/committees for Evangelism, Stewardship, Christian Education, Youth, Theological Education, Companion Diocese Relationships, and Constitution & Canons. From what I could understand, there are two diocesan staff people on each commission, but most, if not all, of the staff serve on more than one commission.
They have several diocesan schools offering secular education. Transfiguration in Guayaquil is the largest and the only self-sustaining institution. Olga Morante serves as the administrator for the school and works extensively with the pre-school program. They have approximately 200 students, down from 300 last year because the Mayor of Guayaquil has offered free uniforms and books to students who go to the new public schools. Also, the national government is moving toward free education for all. Holy Spirit, a kindergarten, and Jesus el Senor are also located in Guayaquil. Ann Stevens is in Los Rios.
The diocese operates a clinic, which opened in August 2006 and is staffed by 12 physicians and students from area hospitals. Patients are charged $3 for a visit but are not turned away if they cannot afford to pay. It was originally intended for Episcopalians, but it currently serves everyone. The Diocese of Tennessee sent 35 doctors [in rotating visits] in February and March and will do so again in June and July.
I asked about Christian Education in the congregations. He said that they teach Anglicanism and the Catechism [to adults] and often use Forward Movement pamphlets because they are short. Olga Morante said that most Ecuadorians do not like to read lengthy things. As far as teaching children, the Diocese of Tennessee sends posters and pictures for Sunday School programs.
Some of the dioceses’ biggest challenges are providing better education for the people in the congregations, because “if an Episcopalian knows his church, it’s hard to leave it, even if there are a lot of issues.” Poverty and health are also major challenges, along with public education. Bishop Morante also mentioned the presence of several “Continuing [Anglican] Churches” in the area that are attacking the Episcopal Church in the press and with TV spots. He said there were at least 20 “continuing” bishops in his diocese, but they cannot do much about them because they have legally registered churches with the government. One positive benefit has been the development of a good relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.
Peace,
Jeffri
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