News from the Diocese of the Virgin Islands Convention 2023

The Diocese of the Virgin Islands is to be a strong body for Christ, working together to share their gifts as they try to rebuild a community of love. The reminder came from The Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales Maldonado, Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico and Advisor Bishop for the Diocese of the Virgin Islands. He was speaking during the 66th annual convention of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, held July 13-15, 2023 on the island of St. Croix in the USVI, under the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’.

According to Bishop Morales, the time is now to rebuild diocesan spirit and to pray for the Holy Spirit for personal and church renewal so that the Episcopal Church could be disciples of Jesus in the Virgin Islands. He noted that the convention theme is descriptive of the Church which, unlike a closed club, is to be open to everyone, so that persons can join together to share their gifts, accepting and loving people as they are.  He suggested that change must begin with everyone asking, “What will I do to make change and make things better?”

As Advisor Bishop, he promised to travel to the diocese monthly and to visit each of the three deaneries. He reminded lay and clergy delegates that being a diocesan community is a necessary preparatory step to calling a diocesan bishop and that building such a community is their co-responsibility. He said it is time to proclaim that old things are over and the diocese is at a place of new beginnings as, together, they become witnesses of reconciliation.

The Diocese of the Virgin Islands, the smallest in the Episcopal Church, is made up of congregations in the British and US Virgin Islands. Its previous diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs, retired in May 2021.

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