Cuban bishop to deliver sermon at Christ Church in Greenwich

From Connecticut-

Christ Church in Greenwich will host a special visitor this Sunday.

The Right Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio, the Episcopal bishop of Cuba, will be the guest preacher at the 10 a.m. service in town. After the service, the bishop will meet with parishioners and interested people at coffee hour.

Delgado del Carpio is the first woman consecrated as a diocesan bishop in all of Latin America.

Pat Cage, who has been working with the bishop to build up the Episcopal faith in Cuba, said she is an inspiring presence.

“She is so lovely and peaceful and gentle, and she draws people to her,” said Cage, a Darien resident who traveled recently with the church leader in Cuba. “She is also very determined and has a wonderful vision, and she has a huge commitment to her flock.”

Cage’s husband, Jeremy, will translate Delgado del Carpio’s sermon into English from Spanish, as she is more comfortable speaking in her native language.

More here-

 https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Cuban-Bishop-to-deliver-sermon-at-Christ-Church-14188451.php

Column: Christianity, Capitalism and Cuba

From Connecticut-

A group of nine of us recently traveled to Cuba for a week-long visit with leaders of three Episcopal congregations, as well as Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio, who will be the guest preacher at Christ Church, in Greenwich, on Sunday, July 28th.  She is the first woman consecrated as a Diocesan Bishop in all of Latin America. 

Although the United States’ government recently cancelled travel visas to Cuba and forbid U.S. cruise ships from visiting, Americans can still travel to Cuba on religious visas, which is what we did, as we were meeting with Cuban religious groups.

The Episcopal Church in Cuba is part of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide body of 80 million Christians living in 165 different countries.  The Episcopal Church in Cuba was founded in 1901 by the Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota, who happened to be traveling by boat to the Dominican Republican when a storm left him stranded on Cuba. When the Minnesota Bishop learned that there was not a single Protestant church on the island, he started one.  Hence, the Episcopal Church of Cuba was born.  Today, there are 46 Episcopal churches served by 24 Episcopal priests.  Many of the churches meet in homes, because hurricanes destroyed their sanctuary, and the Castro government would not allow them to rebuild.  Now, the government is granting them permission to rebuild.

More here-

https://www.greenwichsentinel.com/2019/07/11/column-christianity-capitalism-and-cuba/

Abp Hiltz: “There will always be a relationship between the Church of Canada and Cuba”

From ACNS-

The Anglican Church of Canada will continue to have some sort of a relationship with the church in Cuba even if – as appears likely – it becomes a diocese of the US-based Episcopal Church (TEC), says Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

TEC’s General Convention is expected to vote this July on a resolution to reintegrate the Episcopal Church in Cuba after the Cuban church voted to return to TEC three years ago. The resolution, drafted by a task force on reintegration set up by TEC and composed of members both of the Episcopal and the Cuban church, seems likely to pass, Hiltz said in an interview on Monday (5 March).

“I think all the indicators are that the task force . . . are supporting – and wholeheartedly supporting – the reintegration, and the resolution that they’ve drafted, which has several parts, speaks very clearly of wanting to move ahead with this,” said Hiltz, who attended the Cuban church’s annual synod in February. “Like any resolution, there’s never a guarantee that it’s going to pass; I’m anticipating it will pass.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/03/archbishop-hiltz-there-will-always-be-a-relationship-between-the-church-of-canada-and-cuba.aspx

Cuban Church Poised to Reintegrate

From The Living Church-

If next year’s General Convention approves reintegrating the Episcopal Church of Cuba with the Episcopal Church in the United States, American Episcopalians will discover a church at once foreign and familiar. The Cuban church is historically Episcopal; it began as a mission of the Episcopal Church. That relationship ended with the U.S. embargo of Cuba in 1960 and subsequent deterioration of the countries’ relationship.

The churches parted ways in 1966, and the Metropolitan Council of Cuba was set up to govern the extra-provincial church. The council now consists of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Archbishop Fred Hiltz of Canada, and Archbishop John Holder of the West Indies.

Exchange between the countries rekindled after the Obama administration’s decision to lessen travel restrictions, allowing for Americans — including Episcopalians — to visit the island after decades of absence. Relations between the churches started to mend as well, and the Cuban church voted in 2015 to rejoin the Episcopal Church in the United States. The Task Force on the Episcopal Church in Cuba, established by the 2015 General Convention to explore the question, intends to recommend reintegration, the Rev. Luis León told TLC in June. León, the task force chairman, said the Metropolitan Council has not been able to provide the kind of support the Cuban church needs. Thus, it has been far-off, isolated.

More here-

http://livingchurch.org/2017/11/03/cuban-church-poised-to-reintegrate/

Update from the Bishop of Cuba

From Cuba-

I am writing to you before there is no electricity here in Havana, it is twelve noon. The weather is deteriorating, the boardwalk is flooded. All night and dawn, the north coast. Many villages were slaughtered. We have news of Esmeralda, near to Cayo Romano in the province of Camaguey. The damage was enormous in the houses, as well as in agriculture. Many families are housed and the Civil Defense is working tirelessly in service to the people, as well as the Institute of Meteorology giving constant information by all means of how the trajectory is and urging them to continue with the discipline and responsibility that characterizes the Cuban people in all parts. Already brigades are being moved from the western electricians and all staff to the affected region.

The other places where we have communities are Camaguey, Esmeralda, Gloria, Manati, Tabor, Jiqui, Chaparra, Puerto Padre, San Manuel, Moron, Ceballos, Ciego de Avila, Florida, Florence and Perea. Surely it is expected in Santi Spiritus, Santa Clara, Rhodes, Cienfuegos, that there are many gusts of wind and abundant rain. Now there is a lot of work. As soon as something is cleared, on Monday or Tuesday I will go to those places carrying some food. And all that you can. We are also making an emergency plan to collect clothes and blankets, sheets and carry them.

More here-

https://www.episcopalcafe.com/update-from-the-bishop-of-cuba/

Episcopal Migration Ministries satellite office in Florida to close

From Anglican News-

After more than three decades serving as a model for successful resettlement and integration, the US based Episcopal Migration Ministries’ satellite office in Miami, Florida is to close at the end of July.

The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, explained that the closing was due in large part to changing Cuban migrant policy within the United States:  “Episcopal Migration Ministries - Miami began in 1980 in response to the Department of State’s request for assistance in processing Cubans arriving to the United States during the Mariel boatlift” he said, a reference to the mass emigration of Cubans over a six month period in 1980.

Under the direction of Charlande Michel, Episcopal Migration Ministries - Miami has resettled over 3,300 refugees from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Kosovo, Bosnia, Vietnam, Iraq, and Burma.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/03/episcopal-migration-ministries-satellite-office-in-florida-to-close.aspx

Brazil and Cuba to be represented at General Synod 2016

From Canada-

Representatives from two of the Anglican Church of Canada’s global partners—the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil and the Episcopal Church of Cuba—will be in attendance when General Synod meets this July.

Archbishop Francisco de Assis da Silva, primate of Brazil, and Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio will be representing the churches of Brazil and Cuba, respectively.

Da Silva’s visit comes at a time when the Canadian and Brazilian churches are moving toward re-establishing a formal relationship after a six-year lapse, Andrea Mann, the church’s director of global relations, told Council of General Synod (CoGS) March 11.

Until 2010, Mann said, the two churches had enjoyed a long relationship that included regular meetings and visits, grants and scholarships from the Canadian church, mentoring and other programs. Canadian Anglicans volunteered in Brazilian missions. But in 2010, General Synod, in consultation with the Brazilian church, withdrew from its formal partnership. Instead the Canadian church decided to focus on partnering with one province in each of the Communion’s six global regions. Within the Latin American/Caribbean region, the Episcopal Church of Cuba became the Canadian church’s strategic partner, she said.

- See more at:

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/brazil-and-cuba-to-be-represented-at-general-synod-2016#sthash.TLISjJNa.dpuf

Cuban Episcopal Bishop makes historic visit to Christ Episcopal Church

From New Orleans-

Love brings courage and last week Rev. Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, the Episcopal Bishop of Cuba, brought love and courage to Christ Episcopal Church in Covington. 

Christ Episcopal welcomed Bishop Del Carpio with a program featuring prayers, readings, and songs, including a rousing rendition of Guantanamera, all in Spanish by students of Christ Episcopal School under the direction of Spanish teachers Dawn Cox, Elizabeth Ryan and Angela Nunez.
More here-

http://www.nola.com/community/st-tammany/index.ssf/2015/08/covington_town_talk_cuban_epis.html

Episcopal bishops' long-planned trip to Cuba takes on character of 'diplomatic mission'

From Salt Lake City-

The Right Rev. Scott Hayashi's recent trip to Cuba started out as an opportunity to learn more about the Episcopal Church on the island country and to support its appointed Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio.

With the trip two years in the planning stages, the group of 11 American bishops could have in no way anticipated President Obama's recent announcement that his administration will re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba and the Episcopal Church in Cuba voting to rejoin the Episcopal Church. The World Council of Churches happened to be meeting in Cuba during the bishops' long-scheduled trip.

Their visit April 7-12 occurred shortly before the 54th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy sending an army of CIA-backed anti-Castro exiles onto the beach at Cuba’s Bay of Pigs to suffer bloody, catastrophic defeat.

More here-

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626971/Episcopal-bishops-long-planned-trip-to-Cuba-takes-on-character-of-diplomatic-mission.html

Cuban synod votes to return to Episcopal Church

From ACNS-

Members of synod for the Episcopal Church of Cuba narrowly voted in favour of returning to the church’s former affiliation with The Episcopal Church at their recent meeting last month in Cardenas, Cuba.

The move came two months after the historic decision by the United States and Cuba to re-establish diplomatic relations after a 54-year hiatus. The Cuban church had been part of a province in The Episcopal Church until the 1959 revolution, which made travel and communication between the two churches difficult. The Metropolitan Council of Cuba (MCC)—which includes primates of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Province of West Indies and The Episcopal Church—was subsequently created to provide support and oversight.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2015/03/cuban-synod-votes-to-return-to-episcopal-church.aspx

Christmas in Havana

From New Hampshire-

Cuba certainly has been in the news. Having lived there for a year in the 1980’s, traveled to the island many times, and having seen my son just return from his Young Adult Service Corps volunteer year in Cuba this past July, my reaction to the plan to resume diplomatic relations with Cuba is that it may very well be the beginning of a long process of lasting change. In these final days of Advent waiting, expectation and hope, many of us have been waiting and hoping for some good news to come out of Cuba for decades. I thank God for this development. Our five decades long policy of isolation, in my opinion, has not worked. I believe that Americans should be able to travel to Cuba freely, as we do in China and Vietnam. With increased travel and communication the expectation is that seeds of change will be planted.

More here-

http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141226/NEWS/141229606/101050/OPINION

NH priest anxious to see what changes may come to Cuba

From New Hampshire-

The Rev. Mark Pendleton of Christ Episcopal Church in Exeter said he has witnessed the struggles of the small country, and, like others, he is very anxious to see what happens in its new chapter.

"Cubans, I think, have always done a very good job of distinguishing between U.S. foreign policy and American culture," Pendleton said.

Pendleton has made eight missionary trips to the island country. He said the church has been Cuba's connection to much of the world for the past half century.

"It's been a lifeline for this very isolated country, and hopefully with these changes, we'll be able to draw closer to a diocese that used to be a part of the American Episcopal church," he said.
Read more:

http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-priest-anxious-to-see-what-changes-may-come-to-cuba/30322638#ixzz3MRULeLsg

Episcopal Church of Cuba adopts three-year strategic plan

From ENS--

The Episcopal Church of Cuba has a clear vision moving into its next triennium: to be a church united in diversity, celebration, evangelism, teaching, serving and sharing the love of God.

Arriving at that vision has been “a very rich experience,” yet at times “somewhat difficult,” said Bishop Griselda Delgado de Carpio, during a post-General Synod interview with Episcopal News Service on Feb. 23.

For its 2014-16 strategic plan, the church finds inspiration from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, specifically Chapter 4, Verses 15-16: “But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.”

At the close of the last three years, Delgado’s first full triennium serving as bishop, a clearer vision for the church began to develop, with evangelism taking center stage in the church’s mission, she said.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/02/28/episcopal-church-of-cuba-adopts-three-year-strategic-plan/

Better Together

From The Living Church-

For the past six years the youth groups of San Andres, Yonkers (Iglesia Memorial de San Andres), and Christ Church, Bronxville, have found that we are better together. Our young people meet every Monday night. We have traveled to the monastery at Taizé in the spirit of reconciliation and trust. We have met and worked with those in need in New York City and across the nation. Our kids long to be challenged and tested. They want to engage their faith. They want love to be active, not passive.

The Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, Bishop of Cuba, invited us in August to expand our understanding of “better together.” This was a gift greater than any of us could have imagined. As a mixed group, ranging from ardent capitalists to crypto-communists, the young people had high hopes for the trip. They wanted to see American cars from the 1940s and ’50s and experience the culture of the Buena Vista Social Club. They wanted to pose in front of Che Guevara murals and step back into the world of Hemingway. They wanted to ask about universal medical care and the education system in Cuba. And they were able to do it all. But what most profoundly affected them was the extraordinary generosity and spirit of the Cuban people.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/better-together

Province IX adopts financial self-sustainability as a focus

From ENS-

The Province IX Synod, meeting at the Hotel San Juan, Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic on March 8, passed resolutions aimed at moving the province and Cuba toward financial self-sufficiency, and an additional resolution in support of restructuring the Episcopal Church.

Bishops, clergy and lay leaders meeting for five days, March 5-9, also re-elected Colombia Bishop Francisco Duque as president and Ecuador Litoral Bishop Alfredo Morante Espana as vice president. Gina Angulo, of the Diocese of Ecuador Litoral, was elected secretary; Darling Martinez, of the Diocese of Puerto Rico, was elected treasurer; and Pragedes Coromoto Jimenez De Salazarr, was elected to serve as the Province IX representative for Executive Council.

Synod unanimously adopted a form of Episcopal Church Chief Operating Officer Bishop Stacy Sauls’ resolution, which calls for a Special Commission on Missional Structure and Strategy to develop a plan to restructure the church in a way that maximizes resources available for mission.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/03/09/province-ix-adopts-financial-self-sustainability-as-a-focus/

New era of freedom and expansion for Cuban church

Fro ENS-

Most Canadians visiting Cuba in February are there for the sun, the sea and the mojitos. But early this month, Archbishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada led a delegation with a different purpose: to observe the 103rd synod of the Episcopal Church of Cuba, led in Havana by Bolivian-born Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio, bishop since 2010.

The Episcopal Church of Cuba traces its origins to an early Anglican presence on the island in 1901. It consists of 46 parishes and about 10,000 members. Within the Anglican Communion, the Cuban church has the status of an extra-provincial diocese since it is not part of a larger province and has no primate. Its governance includes the Metropolitan Council, which exercises oversight in matters of faith and order.

Enter the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, who co-chairs the council with the archbishop of the West Indies and the presiding bishop of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/02/22/new-era-of-freedom-and-expansion-for-cuban-church/

Episcopal Church of Cuba has new bishop

From Cuba-

November 27, 2010 in Religion. The Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio was nstalled Bishop of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in Cuba. The ceremony was held Sunday afternoon at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Havana.

Delgado, 55, will be the first woman to hold such a high rank in the Cuban Episcopal Church, replacing Bishop Miguel Tamayo Zaldívar, who retired this fall.

The Bolivian-born Delgado, former rector of St. Mary the Virgin in Itabo, Matanzas province, was consecrated as bishop coadjutor (assistant bishop with the right of succession) in February 2010.

She was in Washington Nov. 15-16 as part of a delegation of Cuban religious leaders lobbying for a lifting of the restrictions on religious and other "people-to-people" travel imposed in 2005 by the Bush administration. Renato Pérez Pizarro.

Read more:

http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2010/11/29/28104/episcopal_church_of_cuba_has_new_bishop.html#ixzz16flF8K5p

Bishop’s appointment ‘a surprise from God’

From Canada and Cuba

In her first visit to Canada this week, the new bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Cuba, Griselda Delgado del Carpio, said being appointed in February came as “a surprise from God.”

Bishop Delgado was appointed by the Metropolitan Council of Cuba after two special electoral synods held last year failed to elect a successor to Bishop Miguel Tamayo Zaldivar, who is retiring as interim bishop.

In an interview, Bishop Delgado said she hopes to move her community development experience to a diocesan level. It provides a model for the way the church can be an expression of God’s word and love in people’s lives, she explained.

Six years ago, Bishop Delgado began working as a priest in the small rural community of Itabo, province of Matanzas. There, funds raided by the church provided residents with emergency assistance such as money for food or other basic needs. Now, the vision is focused on providing education to help them become self-sufficient.

More here-

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/bishops-appointment-a-surprise-from-god/?cHash=e14c3c6443

New Bishop appointed to Episcopal Church of Cuba

From Anglican Journal-

The Metropolitan Council of Cuba has appointed The Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio as Co-adjutor Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Cuba.

Delgado was appointed after two special electoral synods held last year failed to elect a successor to Bishop Miguel Tamayo Zaldivar, who plans to retire as interim bishop soon.

She was chosen from a pool of candidates who were asked for written responses by the Council, composed of Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of The Episcopal Church, and Archbishop Errol Brooks, acting primate of The Church in the Province of the West Indies. The Council has overseen the Cuban church since it separated from The Episcopal Church in 1967 because of difficult relations between the two countries’ governments.

“The Council found Griselda’s submission to be particularly thorough. We believe she has a good grasp of the nature of episcope [ministry of a bishop],” said Archbishop Fred Hiltz in a letter to the Cuban church. “We believe she has a lot of insight into the history of the Church’s witness in Cuban society. It is clear that she is mission-minded and will lead the church in the spirit of compassionate and courageous discipleship.”

In 1986 Delgado became one of two women Anglican priests ordained for the first time in the history of the Cuban church. She is currently the rector of Santa Maria Virgen Church in Itabo, Matanzas province.

Archbishop Hiltz noted that Delgado is “committed to the ministry of all the baptized and to the principle s of diverse and dispersed leadership.” She is also aware of the “need to give attention to stewardship of financial resources for maintaining ministry and mission.”

As co-adjutor, Delgado will work with Bishop Tamayo until he ends his term.
Delgado’s consecration has been scheduled for Feb. 7, at the closing service for the diocesan synod, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Havana.

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/new-bishop-appointed-to-episcopal-church-of-cuba/?cHash=3bf2c78236

Cuba Fails to Elect Bishop

From the Living Church-

The Diocese of Cuba failed to elect a bishop for the fourth time in 20 years when a special meeting of diocesan convention in Havana split along faction lines.

None of the three candidates on the ballot received the requisite two-thirds majority from the lay and clergy delegates, and the voting was halted after 10 ballots. Four candidates were nominated to succeed the Rt. Rev. Jorge Perera, who retired in 2003.

One candidate withdrew before the voting balloting began, leaving the Rev. Emilio Martin, the Rev. Ivan Gonzalez, and the Rev. José Angel Gutierrez on the ballot. While Fr. Martin received a majority of votes cast, he did not receive a plurality. When successive ballots returned the same results, and none of the candidates withdrew, voting was suspended.

The Ven. Michael Pollesel, general secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, who oversaw the election, told the Anglican Journal the diocese appeared to be divided into two camps. “I guess one would be considered more moderate and middle of the road. The other might be considered a little more traditional,” he said.

A one-time member of The Episcopal Church, the diocese withdrew in 1967 in the wake of the political tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. A Metropolitan Council comprised of the archbishops of Canada and the West Indies and the American Presiding Bishop has since exercised jurisdiction over the diocese.

A special convention to elect a successor to Bishop Perera in 2003 split along factional lines, and in 2004 the Metropolitan Council asked the Bishop of Uruguay, the Rt. Rev. Miguel Tamayo, to serve for three years as interim bishop. A native of Cuba and former dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Havana, Bishop Tamayo was reappointed interim bishop in 2006 to a second three- year term.

In a bid to break the logjam, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Archbishop Fred Hiltz of Canada appointed two bishops suffragan from the two factions. In 2007, the two primates consecrated the Rev. Nerva Cot as Bishop Suffragan of Western Cuba and the Rev. Ulises Aguero as Bishop Suffragan of Eastern Cuba.

The failed election will be referred back to the Metropolitan Council for further action.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/6/30/cuba-fails-to-elect-bishop