Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico Charts Provincial Path Forward

EPISCOPAL COUNCILS

Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico Charts Provincial Path Forward

BY THE REV. DR. JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ

La Rogativa monument at the Plazuela de la Rogativa, San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico met in a special convention on July 31, 2021, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to discern a path toward finding its place within The Episcopal Church. Early on, it became clear the special convention was choosing between union with Province II and its historic Puerto Rican community in New York, and Province IV, which includes Florida and thus houses the largest population of Puerto Ricans outside of the island. The Episcopal Church is a union of dioceses in the United Stated States and dioceses encompassing entire countries outside the United States. We are an international church within the Anglican Communion, and our provincial structure leaves many of our international dioceses tucked away in either Province II or IX. Puerto Rican nationality is complex but represents the transnational identity of the church at large. It is politically American but ethnically and linguistically unique. The Episcopal Church in Puerto Rico has a rich history, drawing from both English and American missionary efforts while also bringing in the independent, catholic and apostolic tradition of the Iglesia de Jesús that merged with Puerto Rican Anglicanism in 1922.

HISTORICAL ROOTS

Anglican worship began on the island in 1869 during Spanish colonial rule when Puerto Rico was under the Anglican jurisdiction of the West Indies. Jurisdiction was transferred to The Episcopal Church after the United States military forcibly seized Puerto Rico from the Spanish crown in 1898. From 1979 to 2003, Puerto Rico enjoyed independence as a diocese extra-provincial to the See of Canterbury before returning to The Episcopal Church in 2003. Since 2003, Puerto Rico has found its ecclesiastical home in Province IX. In many ways, Puerto Rico’s inclusion into the rich tapestry of Province IX set it up as an outsider within a province with historical and geographic ties and a very different identity from its sister U.S. territory diocese. Anglicanism in Puerto Rico has had to wrestle with its relationship to the other U.S. dioceses while simultaneously navigating a province it faithfully served but eventually felt called to leave. In resolving to leave Province IX during its special convention, the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico called upon the Holy Spirit for more than 12 hours to help the laity and clergy discern a path forward.

PRESENT PAIN

The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer had the task of introducing the special convention to Province IV with the help of a presentation developed by his staff and Puerto Rican leaders within the Diocese of Central Florida. The presentation was

Left to right, Rev. Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Rt. Rev. Mike Klusmeyer, Rt. Rev. Orlando Guerrero, Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales Maldonado and Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer

well received, and the special convention truly struggled between Province II and Province IV. As an observer, one of my most difficult experiences was hearing the laity’s concerns in eventually choosing Province II. Themes of estrangement, colonialism and conquest seep through the story of the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico as well as the special convention. In choosing a new provincial home, another theme appeared. The legacy of racism in the U.S. South was palpable and present in the minds and shared experiences of the special convention. The sin of racism and prejudice was present in the lived experiences of those attending the special convention and their families in the South. Multiple rounds of voting and frank, earnest conversations took place between clergy and laity as truth-telling and healing took place. As a guest, I had no voice to speak out for my province, but I also had no right to contradict the shared experiences of so many. After many hours the special convention discerned Province II as its new provincial home, a decision later affirmed by Province II. A final vote will occur during the 2022 General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. As a direct result of Brewer’s presentation, which highlighted much of our diocese’s work in welcoming displaced Puerto Ricans, the Diocese of Puerto Rico also resolved to enter a special relationship with the Diocese of Central Florida.

FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

While the door remains wide open for this future relationship, we should not dare enter it as a diocese and province without serious consideration of the sin of racism that has left our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico feeling estranged from us. There will be many ways to respond to Puerto Rico’s gesture of friendship. Still, before we do, we must lead the way in calling ourselves and our community into repentance for the sin of racism, bias, discrimination and prejudice that has injured our brothers and sisters. We have a part to play in this call to repentance. In Easter, the Passion reading builds up to us crying out, “Crucify him!” in remembering both our individual and communal transgressions against God. This Advent, let us reach into Christ’s infancy narrative and remember that not only was King Herod disturbed, but “all Jerusalem with him” (Matt. 2:3b). In the same way that we participate in Christ’s crucifixion, let us remember that we collectively and individually participate and benefit from the estrangement and oppression of others. Advent offers us an opportunity to repent for making strangers out of our brothers and sisters and communally persecuting the vulnerable. May this Advent provide us an opportunity to look at all the estranged in our society with contrite and repentant hearts.

Rt. Rev. Brewer participates in opening Eucharist alongside Rt. Rev. Maldonado.

PRAY WITH ME:

We remember today, O God, the estrangement and persecution of our brothers and sisters. We repent for not loving you with our whole hearts and not loving our neighbors as ourselves. Have mercy on us, Lord. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your tender mercy all those who are victims of our collective estrangement, indifference and oppression, and by your great might frustrate unjust leaders and the communities that empower and enable them. Establish your rule of justice, love and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Rt. Rev. Maldonado addresses the special convention.