wfn.org | Episcopalians: Hispanic Episcopalians gather for 'New Dawn' in Los Angeles

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May 21, 2002

2002-128

Episcopalians: Hispanic Episcopalians gather for 'New Dawn' 
in Los Angeles

by Victor Ruiz

(ENS) For the first time in more than 15 years, 220 bishops, 
clergy and lay people from dioceses across the Episcopal Church 
in the United States gathered May 13-16 in Los Angeles, 
California, to bring Latinos an increased presence and place in 
the Episcopal Church.

Fifteen years ago the Latino presence in the Episcopal Church 
of the United States was practically nonexistent. Today there 
are five Latino bishops and more than 200 Latino priests serving 
over 50,000 Hispanic Episcopalians.

Keynote speaker for the national meeting, entitled: "New 
Dawn: Challenges and Opportunities," was Dr. Justo Gonzalez, a 
Christian theologian and professor at Emory University in 
Atlanta, Georgia. Gonzalez spoke about the increasing proportion 
of Spanish-speaking members in the different Christian churches 
across the country and the expectation that Hispanics will be 
50% of the population in a majority of the states in a decade. 
"The church that doesn't pay attention to Latinos is not 
concerned with its future," said Gonzalez.

Among the bishops who attended and supported the gathering 
was Bishop Leo Frade of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, who 
spoke of "the asphyxia that the structure is creating in this 
church" and how it is possible that the "new dawn" and a change 
of mind among Latino members might get them united and create 
"an efficient organization not dependent upon the structures." 
Frade told participants that the presence and growth of 
Hispanics, "who have injected a tremendous vitality into this 
church, has taken place without any invitation." The bishop 
invited the leaders present to demand from their bishops a 
greater involvement of Hispanics in the life of the church, and 
encouraged those present to participate more decisively in all 
the governing bodies of the Episcopal Church.

Positive energy

The conference's second day began with representatives of the 
eight provinces giving reports about Hispanic missionary 
activities in their dioceses. There was also a discussion panel 
about the Manifiesto de Atlanta, a document written in Easter 
2001 that demands special attention be given to Hispanic 
missionary activity. Among the panel participants were two 
bishops who signed the document: Wilfrido Ramos-Orench, bishop 
suffragan of Connecticut, and Victor Scantlebury, assistant 
bishop of Chicago. Other bishops present were Katharine Jefferts 
Schori of Nevada; Gethin B. Hughes of San Diego; Sergio 
Carranza, bishop of Mexico; and James H. Ottley, assistant 
bishop of Southeast Florida.

On the closing day, Ramos-Orench gave a speech in which he 
defined the gathering as "an experience of resurrection in the 
life of the Hispanic Episcopal Church" and encouraged everyone 
to return to their dioceses with the idea of "keeping united. 
The union of Hispanic Episcopalians is not an option: it is an 
urgent necessity."

At the close of the conference, a black stone brought from 
nearby beaches was given to each participant as a symbol of the 
burden Christians carry that can be delivered to Jesus Christ 
who said, "Come unto me, all you that travail and are heavy 
laden, and I will refresh you" (Matthew 11:28).

Participants unanimously supported the creation of an 
organization tentatively called the United Hispanic 
Episcopalians, similar to the Union of Black Episcopalians 
(UBE).

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--Victor Ruiz is co-editor of Caminos, the official publication 
of the Office of Hispanic Ministry. Spanish translation by Sara 
Saavedra, program assistant, International Partnerships Office, 
Anglican and Global Relations.