Episcopal bishops express support for Puerto Rico evacuees

From Massachusetts-

The commonwealth's Episcopal bishops have issued a statement of support for Puerto Rican Hurricane Maria evacuees scheduled to meet with Washington D.C. lawmakers Thursday over permanent housing.

"As citizens of the United States, those who have fled the island of Puerto Rico should have the same assistance as a citizen of the 50 states. Instead, these families are getting phone calls from FEMA encouraging them to return to Puerto Rico," reads the statement issued by Western Massachusetts Episcopal Bishop Douglas J. Fisher, Massachusetts Episcopal Bishop Alan M. Gates and Massachusetts Episcopal Bishop Suffragan Gayle E. Harris.

It further reads, "No American family should become homeless because of a hurricane, a wildfire or a tornado. These Puerto Rican families are our sisters and brothers, our fellow Americans."

 More here-

https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/06/episcopal_bishops_express_supp.html

Orlando church helps displaced Puerto Rican families welcome post-Maria babies

From Orlando-

Jinny Santos found out she was pregnant with her fourth child about a month after Hurricane Maria had left her town in the heart of Puerto Rico without power, communication or running water.

Now eight months pregnant, she’s getting ready to deliver her second son in their new home in Orlando with the help of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, hoping the post-Maria birth can help mark a new beginning.

The church is helping 10 expectant mothers from Puerto Rico cover their basic needs.

On Tuesday, Santos scanned the aisles at a Target on Alafaya Trail, filling her shopping cart with clothes, diapers, nail clippers and tiny hangers. She turned occasionally to her husband, who was carrying their youngest daughter, to make sure they covered the basics.

More here-

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/puerto-rico-hurricane-recovery/os-puerto-rico-hurricane-baby-20180410-story.html

Puerto Rico family State of the Union

From Orlando-

Bishop Gregory Brewer sits with the the Ortiz Torres family after giving them a blessing before their trip to Washington DC, at the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Left to Right, Emmanuel Ortiz Nazario; Bishop Gregory Brewer; mom Cristal Torrez Rodriguez; Delimar Isabelle Ortiz Torres, 4; and Aziel Amir Ortiz Torres, 10, -- The family displaced from Puerto Rico has relocated to Florida is joining Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Winter Park) at President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. They will talk about needs of displaced families in Central Florida and those back on the island.

More here-

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-1517072619-m8bcogksxi-snap-image-photo.html

Much more here-

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-puerto-rico-family-state-of-union-florida-20180126-story.html

“Love Like Christ”: Presiding Bishop’s pastoral visit to post-hurricane Puerto Rico

From ACNS-

Bishop Rafael Morales leaves no impression he is still wading into his job. He had led the Diocese of Puerto Rico a mere two months when Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September, and since then he, his staff and clergy around the diocese have mobilised relief efforts with a determination that earned praise from Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the US-based Episcopal Church, during a two-day visit.

Hurricane Maria was and continues to be an unparalleled catastrophe, Morales said, but he is seizing the opportunity for ministry to his fellow Puerto Ricans.

“Our people have a good heart,” he said on the road to the coastal town of Toa Baja accompanied by Curry. Puerto Rico’s culture is one of thanksgiving, Morales said. “This diocese is a diocese of hope.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/01/love-like-christ-presiding-bishops-pastoral-visit-to-post-hurricane-puerto-rico.aspx

Special message from Bishop Rafael Morales of Puerto Rico

From Puerto Rico via the Cafe-

No text just video.

https://www.episcopalcafe.com/special-message-from-bishop-rafael-morales-of-puerto-rico/

Episcopal Relief & Development Responds to Urgent Needs in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma

From Relief Web-

Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting emergency relief efforts in Culebra and Vieques, two islands in Puerto Rico devastated by Hurricane Irma. In partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico, the organization is providing approximately 600 people with temporary housing, medical care, food and meal delivery, clothing, home repairs, water and first aid supplies.

“These islands are among the most highly impacted by Hurricane Irma,” said Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Vice President of Programs. “We’re very concerned about the most vulnerable people, especially the older population, and families with small children.”

The island of Puerto Rico avoided a direct hit from Irma. However, thousands are still without power, and this may continue in the weeks and months ahead, particularly in more remote areas. Culebra and Vieques, located off the east coast of Puerto Rico, were the hardest hit; the governor of Puerto Rico has declared both islands as disaster areas. Roughly 30 to 35 homes were badly damaged and destroyed in Culebra, which has an estimated population of 1,800. Many families live in wooden or partially wooden homes, which left them most vulnerable to the powerful winds and rains of the storm. Power systems as well as cell and internet services are down. Most of the population remains without running water and with limited food supplies.

More here-

https://reliefweb.int/report/puerto-rico-united-states-america/episcopal-relief-development-responds-urgent-needs-puerto

Rafael L. Morales Maldonado consecrated bishop of Puerto Rico

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. Rafael L. Morales Maldonado was ordained and consecrated the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico on July 22 during a Eucharist celebrated at the Pedro Rosselló Convention Center in San Juan. 

A native of Puerto Rico, Morales lives in Toa Alta and is the second Puerto Rican to be elected bishop of the diocese.

Twelve hundred people attended the event, including ecumenical guests, government representatives and Episcopalians representing parishes throughout the island.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached and served as chief consecrator, co-consecrating bishops included, Bishop David A. Alvarez, retired bishop of Puerto Rico, Bishop Wilfrido Ramos Orench, who served as bishop provisional of Puerto Rico since 2014, Bishop Julio Holguin of the Diocese of the Dominican Republic, and Bishop Peter Eaton, of the Diocese of Southeast Florida. President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings also attended. Parishioners from across the island sang in the choir, played music and served as liturgical dancers.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/08/02/rafael-l-morales-maldonado-consecrated-bishop-of-puerto-rico/

For first female priest, faith is family business

From New York-

Loyda Morales was treated a bit differently as a kid growing up in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. But that’s just what happens when you’re the priest’s daughter in a city where religion is taken very seriously.

“Maybe I was in denial,” said Morales, as she sat in the empty sanctuary at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator on West 231 Street and Kingsbridge Avenue, where she is about to celebrate her first anniversary as its priest. And that’s quite a feat for someone who originally moved to New York to work at a bank.

Some 20 years ago, Morales found herself in Riverdale living with her brother after a job transfer led her to the city. It was then that the lifelong Episcopalian stumbled upon the Church of the Mediator in Kingsbridge and discovered how she should spend her life — something that wasn’t immediately apparent to her.

“I was not aware of the calling,” Morales said. “But others were aware of it.”

More here-

http://www.riverdalepress.com/stories/for-first-female-priest-faith-is-family-business,62773

Executive Council begins turning its attention to next year’s General Convention

From ENS-

The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council spent three days in a historic meeting here marked by relaxed conviviality during which the members trained their sights on the next General Convention, a year from now.

This was the first time that council met in a Province IX diocese since February 2008 and it is believed to be the first meeting ever in Puerto Rico. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said during a post-meeting news conference June 11 that it was important for council to have come to the U.S. territory “as Puerto Rico is struggling and seeking to discern its future.”

Puerto Ricans voted that day to become the country’s 51st state. The vote was contentious and attracted the fewest number of people to the poll since 1967. Most observers say that the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress will never grant Puerto Ricans’ request, in part because the territory leans towards the Democratic Party.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/06/12/executive-council-begins-increasingly-turning-its-attention-to-next-years-general-convention/

Diocese of Puerto Rico notified of successful canonical consent process

From ENS-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry and Registrar of General Convention, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, have notified the Diocese of Puerto Rico that Bishop-Elect Rafael Luis Morales has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process.

The Rev. Canon Rafael Luis Morales was elected Bishop on December 10, 2016.  His ordination and consecration service is slated for July 22; Presiding Bishop Curry will officiate.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/diocese-puerto-rico-notified-successful-canonical-consent-process

Wilfrido Ramos Orench installed as provisional bishop of Puerto Rico

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. Wilfrido Ramos Orench was installed as provisional bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico on March 28 at the Universidad Polytécnica de Puerto Rico in Hato Rey.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presided at the three-hour installation service; Bishop José Antonio Ramos Orench, retired bishop of the Episcopal Church of Costa Rica and the provisional bishop’s brother, preached.



The diocese’s Standing Committee postponed and later canceled an election to replace Alvarez, who reached retirement age on Sept. 7, 2013.

Charges were made against Alvarez in August and September of 2013.

An accord regarding certain alleged violations of the disciplinary canons was reached between the presiding bishop and Alvarez; as a result of the agreed-upon accord, he is suspended from all episcopal duties until Oct. 31, 2014, said Bishop Clay Matthews, the Episcopal Church’s bishop for pastoral development, in a statement issued by the Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/04/04/wilfrido-ramos-orench-installed-as-provisional-bishop-of-puerto-rico/

Puerto Rico bishop election cancelled

From ENS-

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico cancelled the election scheduled for Dec. 7, according to a Dec. 4 statement on the diocese’s website.

“It was an extremely difficult decision, but we consider it necessary for the present well-being and future of our diocese,” the statement said.

“Together we should open a space for reflection and discussion for the strengthening of our diocese. Together we can heal the wounds this process has generated between our brothers and sisters.
“We should remember that it’s not in our time, it should be in the time of God, under his eternal guidance and direction.”

An Election Assembly previously was scheduled to elect at bishop to succeed the Rt. Rev. David Alvarez who has reached retirement age on Sept. 7, but that election was postponed. On Sept. 4, the Standing Committee issued a statement rescheduling the election for Dec. 7.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/12/06/puerto-rico-bishop-election-cancelled/

Puerto Rico bishop election rescheduled for Dec. 7

From ENS-

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico rescheduled the election of the next bishop for Dec. 7, according to a Sept. 4 statement on the diocese’s website.

The statement also included the name of an additional candidate, the Rev. José Díaz of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

On July 8, the Standing Committee issued a slate of four candidates. They are:

The Rev. José A. Peña Muñoz, Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Rev. Luis F. Padilla, Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Rev. P. Rosalí Fernández-Pola, Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Rev. Juan Carlos Restrepo, Diocese of Colombia

A petition process for submitting additional candidates closed July 15.

On Aug. 23, the Standing Committee issued a statement on the diocese’s website saying it would postpone the election based on a letter from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori in which she expressed her concern over “recent events in the process” and suggested a period of time to “harmonize” and “reorient” the same process.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/09/05/puerto-rico-bishop-election-rescheduled-for-dec-7/

Puerto Rico diocese names four nominees for bishop

From ENS-

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico has announced a slate of four nominees to run for election as the next bishop.

They are:

The Rev. José A. Peña Muñoz, Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Rev. Pola Fernandez Rosalí, Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Rev. Luis F. Padilla, Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Rev. Juan Carlos Restrepo, Diocese of Colombia

A petition process for submitting additional candidates will run until July 15.

The new bishop will be elected during an Election Assembly on Sept. 7 at the Ponce Hilton Hotel in Puerto Rico. The ordination is scheduled for Nov. 23.

Further details about the diocese and the election of its new bishop are available here.
The bishop-elect will succeed the Rt. Rev. David Alvarez, who has been bishop of Puerto Rico since 1989 after having served as bishop coadjutor for more than two years.

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/07/08/puerto-rico-diocese-names-four-nominees-for-bishop/

Puerto Rico Seeks 7th Bishop

From The Living Church-

The Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico, which is seeking its seventh bishop, has released a diocesan profile. The deadline is April 5, so applicants will need to act quickly.

The Rt. Rev. W.W. Jackson was the first bishop to oversee Episcopalians in Puerto Rico, beginning in 1860. The Rt. Rev. David Andrés Áalvarez-Velázquez, 71, became bishop coadjutor in 1987 and succeeded the Rt. Rev. Francisco Reus-Froylan in 1989.

The full profile follows.

More here

http://www.livingchurch.org/puerto-rico-seeks-7th-bishop

ERD receives historic $300,000 pledge from Puerto Rico diocese

From Episcopal Life Online. (I wouldn't mind being on that beach right now)

The Diocese of Puerto Rico has made a three-year commitment to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) to contribute a total of $300,000 to the organization in support of the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund. "This will be the largest gift ever received from a single diocese in Episcopal Relief and Development's history," an ERD news release said.
In 2007, the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund was launched by ERD, Jubilee Ministries and the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church to stop the spread of malaria in Africa, develop a pilot project in Asia and promote health in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"We are proud to support Episcopal Relief and Development in their work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals," said Bishop David Alvarez of the Diocese of Puerto Rico. "We hope that our gift will inspire other dioceses and Episcopalians to partner with Episcopal Relief and Development in their work towards alleviating poverty and disease."

"This historic gift from the Dioceses of Puerto Rico will significantly help Episcopal Relief and Development in their work towards achieving the Millennium Development goals. This support truly represents Christianity in action," said Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_103691_ENG_HTM.htm