wfn.org | Central American church to go its o

[ENS.parti@ecunet.org]

August 6, 1997
Episcopal News Service
Jim Solheim, Director
212-922-5385
ens@ecunet.org

97-1917
Central American church to go its own way

     (ENS) The Episcopal Church in Central America will become a
separate province of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the 72nd
General Convention agreed.
     Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama, dioceses in the
Episcopal Church's Province 9, will join the autonomous Diocese of
Costa Rica in forming a new province in Central America. 
     "We have a vision of mission expansion," said the Rev. Hector
Monterroso of Guatemala, general secretary of the new province, citing
the dioceses' work as a witness to unity.  
     The four dioceses requested and received approval for a 40-year
financial aid plan that requires annual reductions. While there was some
concern about supporting the new province for such a long period,
Thelma Wilson of Nicaragua said the dioceses have focused on
stewardship training, and her diocese now provides nearly 60 percent of
its own funding. 
     The group was denied approval in 1994 because all the provisions
for autonomy had not been met.  
     "I now have total confidence in the internal structure that has been
put into place," said the Rev. Patrick Mauney, director of the Office of
Anglican and Global Relations. 
     He described the "incredible cooperation" among the countries,
citing their cooperation despite the challenges of diversity of race,
language and financial status. 
     "This will be a great example, a gift to the worldwide church,"
Mauney said.