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Province II of The Episcopal Church
Synod 2021 Resolution Regarding the Diocese of Puerto Rico Submitted by Yvonne O'Neal Be it resolved, that The International Atlantic Province – the Second Province of The Episcopal Church – under Canon I.9.3(b) of The Episcopal Church, hereby mutually agrees with the Ninth Province of The Episcopal Church, that the Diocese of Puerto Rico be transferred from the Ninth Province of The Episcopal Church to the Second Province, subject to the approval of the General Convention for such transfer. Explanation Procedure Episcopal Church Canon I.9.3(b), relating to Provinces, provides in relevant part: "By mutual agreement between the Synods of two adjoining Provinces, a Diocese . . . may transfer itself from one of such Provinces to the other, such transfer to be considered complete upon approval thereof by the General Convention." The Diocese of Puerto Rico has been a member of Province IX, which by its location adjoins all Episcopal Church Provinces other than V and VI. General Convention Resolution 2018-A072 invited dioceses to review the province they are currently in and consider changing to another one. In response to this invitation, the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Puerto Rico adopted a resolution in 2019 to begin the formalities for the change of province. On April 24, 2021, the twenty-second Synod of the Ninth Province of The Episcopal Church approved the Diocese's request to terminate its membership in such province and to seek affiliation with a different one. The Diocese of Puerto Rico convened a Special Convention on July 31, 2021 for the sole purpose of determining the change of province. After faithful deliberation, on the sixth ballot, on a vote by orders, the Special Convention elected to request membership in Province II. In response, the Synod of Province II will now vote on whether or not to affirm Puerto Rico's discernment to join Province II. If the Synod approves, the proposed change will be presented to the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in July 2022 for approval and implementation. If the Synod does not, then the Diocese of Puerto Rico will need to deliberate on a different choice. Description of the Diocese of Puerto Rico The Diocese of Puerto Rico is a vibrant community of the people of God. Describing itself as Dynamic, Missionary, and Evangelizing, the Diocese comprises 55 congregations and two new emerging missions. The Diocese provides theological education at St. Peter and St. Paul Diocesan Seminary, where part of the training is community engagement. St. Luke’s Episcopal Medical Center in Ponce is one of the best on the island. In addition, the island-wide in-home patient care program run by St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System (Sistema de Salud Episcopal San Lucas) delivers the best healthcare on the island. The Diocese provides funeral services, owns one cemetery, and is building another. Parents desire to place their children in schools run by the Diocese. Episcopal Social Services provides a network of social services and operates the San Miguel Home for Children. Episcopal Media Group owns Radio Leo 1170 AM, broadcasting from Ponce and San Juan studios. With an Internet connection, Radio Leo has a global following. This entrepreneurial Diocese proclaims the love of Christ by strengthening the mind, body, and soul of the people in this part of God's vineyard. Lay leadership is vital. The Anglican Center for Lay Formation provides lay formation on diverse theological, biblical, liturgical, and ministry topics. Programs for the laity include ECW, UTO, Daughters of the King, Marriage Encounter, Associates of the Order of the Transfiguration, Cursillo, Youth Ministry, and Campus Ministry. The Youth Ministry has a presence on Radio Leo. In addition, the Diocese has a long-term disaster plan known as REDES; it provides help to all, and it is a way of evangelizing and bringing people into the Episcopal Church. The Diocese was ready to give aid to Haiti after the recent devastating earthquake. Worship services are lively, with an authentic Puerto Rican flavor, making a joyful noise unto the Lord. One gets a sense that this is genuinely the Beloved Community fully entrenched in the Jesus Movement. This joyfulness of worship is visible in the broadcast of the Ordination Service of ten deacons and four priests on July 24. In addition, the Diocese of Puerto Rico engages in Digital Evangelization (Evangelización Digital) and would engage fully with the Dioceses of Province II. Historical Considerations As the International Atlantic Province, there is a natural fit for Puerto Rico to officially join our Caribbean Dioceses of Cuba, Haiti, and the Virgin Islands. When the U.S. acquired the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John) in 1917, the Bishop of Puerto Rico served these islands. This arrangement lasted until 1962, when the Diocese of the Virgin Islands was formed. However, the Dioceses of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands still maintain a good relationship. It is also worth noting that there existed an Episcopal Caribbean regional organization of the Dioceses of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba, agreed upon by the General Convention of 1988, for the feasibility of a new Anglican Communion province. The Diocese of Puerto Rico never abandoned Cuba and has been a friend to that Diocese throughout the years when the Episcopal Church cut off Cuba. The sixth Bishop of Puerto Rico, the Rt. Rev. Bishop David Álvarez, was Provisional Bishop in Cuba from July 1993 to November 1994. Known since 1952 as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico — el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico — the island is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Ricans, — puertorriqueños — are American citizens; they have an intermingled Spanish, U.S., and Afro-Caribbean culture. The island’s social and economic conditions are generally advanced by Latin American standards, partly because of its ties with the United States (including U.S.-owned manufacturing plants and military bases). In 2022, the Diocese will be celebrating 150 years of Anglicanism on the island. Anglicanism arrived in Puerto Rico on June 4, 1872, when the Bishop of Antigua established Holy Trinity Church in Ponce to serve the English-speaking people. The bell of Holy Trinity rang for the first time on July 28, 1898, after the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico, ending the religious restrictions of the Spanish government. The bell is affectionately known as the “Second Liberty Bell.” In 1901, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church established the Mission District of Puerto Rico. Until 1987, Episcopalians in Puerto Rico were ruled by five successive Diocesan Bishops selected by the United States-based Episcopal Church, the last of which was a native-born Puerto Rican, the Rt. Rev. Francisco Reus-Froylán. In 1987, the diocese's Diocesan Assembly was allowed to elect retiring bishop Reus-Froylán’s successor, resulting in the Rt. Rev. David Álvarez as Puerto Rico's first elected Episcopal Bishop. Under Bishop Reus-Froylán, the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico separated from the Episcopal Church in the USA (ECUSA) in 1978. The Diocese was reinstated in 2003 under Bishop Álvarez, returning to Province IX. Bishop Álvarez amassed an endowment of 26 million dollars during his episcopacy. The current bishop is the Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales, who has led the Diocese since 2017. Of historical note, a Suffragan Bishop for Puerto Rico, Manuel Ferrando, was consecrated in New York’s Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in 1923. The third bishop, the Rt. Rev. Charles F. Boynton, resigned his episcopacy in 1951 after being elected as a Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Considerations Supporting the Transfer of the Diocese of Puerto Rico into the Second Province
Be it resolved, That The International Atlantic Province – the Second Province of The Episcopal Church – recognizes (a) the passage of Resolution 2018-A238 of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, which joyfully accepted the request of La Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba to reunite with The Episcopal Church, effective upon the adoption by The Executive Council of a resolution certifying the completion of various ministerial tasks, and (b) the passage of Executive Council Resolution EXC022020.03, which approved such task completion, and (c) notes that said Resolution 2018-A238, pursuant to Canon I.9.3(a), directed that, following such effective date, the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba be annexed to The Second Province; and be it
Further resolved, That the Province, meeting in Synod this ninth day of September 2021, officially welcomes with open arms our brothers and sisters of the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Cuba as a member in good standing of the Province, looking forward to collaborating with them walking forward to achieve the ongoing goals of the Church. Person making resolution: Canon Paul Ambos Diocese of person making resolution: Diocese of New jersey Email address of person making resolution: pambos@amboslaw.com Province II of The Episcopal Church
Synod 2021 Resolution Proposal Form Because the 2021 meeting of the Synod of The International Atlantic Province will be held by electronic means rather than an in-person meeting, the Rules of Order allow for pre-filing of resolution proposals. Resolutions may only be proposed by Bishops or Deputies entitled to vote at the Synod. In addition to other resolutions that the Synod may adopt, Provinces are permitted to propose resolutions for consideration at the upcoming General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Such proposals should begin "Be it Resolved, That the International Atlantic Province submit the following Resolution to the General Convention:", and the proposal must follow, complying in form with the General Convention's Resolution Writing Guidelines (https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/17956). Other proposed resolutions should contain at least two sections: the RESOLVED, naming the desired action, and a FURTHER RESOLVED, as appropriate, providing for the implementation of the resolution if adopted. Proposed resolutions must not include any whereas clause or other preamble. Each resolution must be accompanied by a short explanatory statement by its proponent. Please complete and submit the following form by twenty days prior to the opening of Synod in order to allow for translations. Under the Rules of Order, proposals received after that deadline will require a two-thirds vote of Synod for consideration. Person Making Resolution Proposal: The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe Diocese of Person Making Resolution Proposal: Central New York Email Address of Person Making Resolution Proposal: bishop@cnyepiscopal.org Please attach the text of the Resolution Proposal in text or word-processing format. Resolved, that the 2021 Synod of the Second Province of the Episcopal Church, the International Atlantic Province, expresses its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Rev. Dahn Dean Gandell, of the Diocese of Rochester, for her longstanding commitment and leadership in The Episcopal Church, having served the Province as a clergy representative to Provincial Council, member of Executive Council, Provincial Representative of Episcopal Relief and Development, and President of the Province, notably supervising the Haiti Court of Review process and discerning vigorously with the Provincial Council the question of the role of the provinces within The Episcopal Church, her service spanning more than a dozen years as a compassionate and dedicated ambassador of Province II. We thank her for her willingness to serve, and we send her our prayers and best wishes in her future professional and personal endeavors. Explanation: Courtesy Resolution Province II of The Episcopal Church
Synod 2021 Resolution Proposal Form Because the 2021 meeting of the Synod of The International Atlantic Province will be held by electronic means rather than an in-person meeting, the Rules of Order allow for pre-filing of resolution proposals. Resolutions may only be proposed by Bishops or Deputies entitled to vote at the Synod. In addition to other resolutions that the Synod may adopt, Provinces are permitted to propose resolutions for consideration at the upcoming General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Such proposals should begin "Be it Resolved, That the International Atlantic Province submit the following Resolution to the General Convention:", and the proposal must follow, complying in form with the General Convention's Resolution Writing Guidelines (https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/17956). Other proposed resolutions should contain at least two sections: the RESOLVED, naming the desired action, and a FURTHER RESOLVED, as appropriate, providing for the implementation of the resolution if adopted. Proposed resolutions must not include any whereas clause or other preamble. Each resolution must be accompanied by a short explanatory statement by its proponent. Please complete and submit the following form by twenty days prior to the opening of Synod in order to allow for translations. Under the Rules of Order, proposals received after that deadline will require a two-thirds vote of Synod for consideration. Person Making Resolution Proposal: Canon Noreen Duncan Diocese of Person Making Resolution Proposal: New Jersey Email Address of Person Making Resolution Proposal: Noreen.duncan@att.net Be it resolved, That the 2021 Synod of the Second Province of the Episcopal Church, the International Atlantic Province, expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Philip R. Fileri, Esq. for his service as Chancellor of Province II from 2018-2021 and publicly recognizes the outstanding leadership he has provided as the Chancellor. His counsel in navigating multiple uncharted matters by giving of his time, talent and legal expertise to further the mission and effectiveness of Province II over the past triennium distinguishes him, honors the Province, and marks a deep commitment to the Episcopal Church. Province II tenders its appreciation and many thanks for a job well done, and we wish him well in all future personal and professional endeavors. Province II of The Episcopal Church
Synod 2021 Resolution Proposal Form Because the 2021 meeting of the Synod of The International Atlantic Province will be held by electronic means rather than an in-person meeting, the Rules of Order allow for pre-filing of resolution proposals. Resolutions may only be proposed by Bishops or Deputies entitled to vote at the Synod. In addition to other resolutions that the Synod may adopt, Provinces are permitted to propose resolutions for consideration at the upcoming General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Such proposals should begin "Be it Resolved, That the International Atlantic Province submit the following Resolution to the General Convention:", and the proposal must follow, complying in form with the General Convention's Resolution Writing Guidelines (https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/17956). Other proposed resolutions should contain at least two sections: the RESOLVED, naming the desired action, and a FURTHER RESOLVED, as appropriate, providing for the implementation of the resolution if adopted. Proposed resolutions must not include any whereas clause or other preamble. Each resolution must be accompanied by a short explanatory statement by its proponent. Please complete and submit the following form by twenty days prior to the opening of Synod in order to allow for translations. Under the Rules of Order, proposals received after that deadline will require a two-thirds vote of Synod for consideration. Person Making Resolution Proposal: Canon Paul Ambos, Esq. Diocese of Person Making Resolution Proposal: New Jersey Email Address of Person Making Resolution Proposal: pambos@amboslaw.com Please attach the text of the Resolution Proposal in text or word-processing format. Be it resolved, That the 2021 Synod of the Second Province of the Episcopal Church, the International Atlantic Province, expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe, Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Central New York, for her service as Vice-President and her gracious and effective assumption of the Acting President role over the past nineteen months, acting with an innovative and positive spirit within the challenges of the pandemic, overseeing the unique Special Synod process to amend the Ordinances, and her continued commitment to all dioceses within Province II, especially those offshore, including provincial visits with longstanding member the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and newest member Cuba, to enhance and create bonds of communication within the Province. Explanation: Courtesy Resolution Province II of The Episcopal Church
Synod 2021 Resolution Proposal Form Because the 2021 meeting of the Synod of The International Atlantic Province will be held by electronic means rather than an in-person meeting, the Rules of Order allow for pre-filing of resolution proposals. Resolutions may only be proposed by Bishops or Deputies entitled to vote at the Synod. In addition to other resolutions that the Synod may adopt, Provinces are permitted to propose resolutions for consideration at the upcoming General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Such proposals should begin "Be it Resolved, That the International Atlantic Province submit the following Resolution to the General Convention:", and the proposal must follow, complying in form with the General Convention's Resolution Writing Guidelines (https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/17956). Other proposed resolutions should contain at least two sections: the RESOLVED, naming the desired action, and a FURTHER RESOLVED, as appropriate, providing for the implementation of the resolution if adopted. Proposed resolutions must not include any whereas clause or other preamble. Each resolution must be accompanied by a short explanatory statement by its proponent. Please complete and submit the following form by twenty days prior to the opening of Synod in order to allow for translations. Under the Rules of Order, proposals received after that deadline will require a two-thirds vote of Synod for consideration. Person Making Resolution Proposal: The Rev. Dcn. Lillian Davis-Wilson Diocese of Person Making Resolution Proposal: Western New York Email Address of Person Making Resolution Proposal: ljdwilson1@verizon.net Please attach the text of the Resolution Proposal in text or word-processing format. Be it resolved, That the 2021 Synod of the Second Province of the Episcopal Church, the International Atlantic Province, expresses it gratitude and appreciation to Canon Noreen Duncan of the Diocese of New Jersey for her service and publicly recognizes the outstanding leadership she has provided as Lay Representative to Executive Council. Her leadership distinguishes her, honors the Province, and marks a deep commitment to the Episcopal Church, particularly in the areas of race relations and inclusivity as she has served, and continues to fulfill her term, as Province II’s Lay Representative to Executive Council from 2015 until 2022. Province II tenders its appreciation and many thanks for a job well done, and we wish her well in all future personal and professional endeavors. Explanation: Courtesy Resolution Province II of The Episcopal Church
Synod 2021 Resolution Proposal Form Because the 2021 meeting of the Synod of The International Atlantic Province will be held by electronic means rather than an in-person meeting, the Rules of Order allow for pre-filing of resolution proposals. Resolutions may only be proposed by Bishops or Deputies entitled to vote at the Synod. In addition to other resolutions that the Synod may adopt, Provinces are permitted to propose resolutions for consideration at the upcoming General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Such proposals should begin "Be it Resolved, That the International Atlantic Province submit the following Resolution to the General Convention:", and the proposal must follow, complying in form with the General Convention's Resolution Writing Guidelines (https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/17956). Other proposed resolutions should contain at least two sections: the RESOLVED, naming the desired action, and a FURTHER RESOLVED, as appropriate, providing for the implementation of the resolution if adopted. Proposed resolutions must not include any whereas clause or other preamble. Each resolution must be accompanied by a short explanatory statement by its proponent. Please complete and submit the following form by twenty days prior to the opening of Synod in order to allow for translations. Under the Rules of Order, proposals received after that deadline will require a two-thirds vote of Synod for consideration. Person Making Resolution Proposal: Yvonne O’Neal Diocese of Person Making Resolution Proposal: New York Email Address of Person Making Resolution Proposal: yvonne.oneal@gmail.com Please attach the text of the Resolution Proposal in text or word-processing format. Be it resolved, That the 2021 Synod of the Second Province of the Episcopal Church, the International Atlantic Province, expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Canon Paul Ambos, Esq. of the Diocese of New Jersey, for his service as Secretary for two terms, and in particular for his leadership and participation in the revision and drafting of revised Ordinances adopted September 1, 2020, which enabled virtual meetings, for his service as Chair of the September 1, 2020 Special Synod, and for his general wealth of knowledge on matters canonical. We thank him for his willingness to serve, and we send our best wishes for his future professional and personal endeavors. Explanation: Courtesy Resolution |
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