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Presiding Bishop Finds Vital, Growing Church During Pastoral Visit to Dominican Republic

Episcopal News Service. February 7, 2003 [2003-026]

James Solheim

(ENS) During a pastoral visit to the Diocese of the Dominican Republic, La Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana, Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold encountered a church that is vital and growing--despite a difficult political and economic climate.

Following the January 27-31 Executive Council meeting in Santo Domingo, Griswold visited churches, schools and clinics that are at the core of the diocesan ministries, and met with teachers, students, clergy and American missionaries.

"This is more than just a pastoral visit, you were on a mission," said Bishop Julio Cesar Holguin. "Your presence is like an infusion of vitamins pumped into our church." In his welcome to the council, the bishop reminded them that "this is a third world country" where "about 20 percent of the eight million inhabitants live on less than $1 a day and the income of our middle class is below the poverty level in the United States."

Conditions shape ministry

Although its roots go back to mission work in San Pedro among English-speaking West Indian migrants who came to work in the sugar cane fields at the end of the 19th century, the Dominican Republic officially became a diocese of the Episcopal Church under the care of the bishop of Puerto Rico. "In 1961 we became our own diocese," said Holguin, who became the third Dominican to lead the diocese when he was elected in 1991.

The church has grown, even under difficult circumstances, describing itself as "a missionary church," one that is poised for significant growth, according to Holguin. During the last decade, the number of congregations has increased from 23 to 43. At one point it was 53 but there weren't enough clergy to serve all the parishes. Among the 28 active clergy there are Dominicans, Mexicans, Colombians, Haitians and one American. A decade ago, support from the Episcopal Church provided 85 percent of the diocesan budget, but now it is only 41 percent.

The diocese has companion relationships with Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southwest Florida, Georgia and Western Louisiana and frequently hosts work groups, coordinated by Ellen Snow, who with her husband Bob are missionaries of the Episcopal Church

During a visit to the historic San Pedro area, the presiding bishop (obispo primado) was welcomed by several hundred students at the Collegio Episcopal, a grade school in San Jose where the United Thank Offering has helped build a new facility and Episcopal parishes in the United States have sent work crews to assist with the construction. (Several members of the Executive Council spent several days on a work crew before their meeting.) "It is meant to be a model for other schools in the diocese," said the Rev. Felix Encarnacion. There are about 4,000 students in diocesan schools, many of them on scholarship. During the visit Griswold and Holguin broke ground for a new home for the elderly.

Drums and a packed church greeted the party at San Esteban (St. Stephen) where the diocese operates a clinic and school. It was pointed out that the city of San Pedro produces more major league baseball players than any other in the world and is home to Sammy Sosa, the home run king.

"This is the cradle of Anglicanism in the Dominican Republic," said Holguin, "and the source of many clergy for our church." Not only for the diocese but also for the Episcopal Church Center in New York--including Ricardo Potter, retired from the staff of Anglican and Global Relations, and Juan Marquez, who is currently on staff. Originally a church for the English, it is now a mixed congregation with a majority of Dominicans. "The culture may be different but the faith is the same," said Holguin.

Hope and courage

In his comments to the church members, clinic staff, teachers and students, Griswold said, "My duty is to help build relationships between the church in the US and the Dominican Republic so that together we can do the work of Christ. I take back with me the wonderful experience of the richness of your faith that gives all hope and courage."

After a tour of the clinic, which pioneered rehabilitation in the country, the party stopped at the 20-room Kellogg Retreat Center, named for the first resident bishop of the diocese, nearing completion.

At Centro El Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd Center) a group of pre-school children performed a skit for the party, complete with colorful costumes and a tethered chicken who seemed to resist his role. The church and community center are under the direction of the Sisters of the Transfiguration and serve in a very poor and depressed neighborhood. "We may lack resources--but not heart," Sisters Gabriel and Johanna said.

Common cause

At a luncheon with diocesan clergy, Griswold said he was "grateful to experience some of the incredible ministries of the diocese and strengthen the ties between our churches." He said that he was "profoundly unhappy that the US government has lost sight of the suffering and poverty in so much of the world but I'm glad the church has maintained its global consciousness." He reported on his conversation with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in which he warned about dangers as serious as terrorism.

In an interview with the New York Times during his time in the Dominican Republic, Griswold said that he was "grateful at last that our government is doing something to be in solidarity with the rest of the world." He noted that the proposed allocation of $15 billion by the US to fight HIV/AIDS was not just for Africa, but would also benefit Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic and has a serious AIDS problem.

"I deeply cherish the bonds we share--bonds that transcend culture and politics and make common cause for reconciliation in this fragile world where we live," Griswold added. In a brief press conference, he repeated his "profound reservations about the rightness of war with Iraq because the possibilities of innocent lives being lost is very high and it could destabilize the entire Middle East." Some of the rhetoric used by the Bush Administration, he added, "could prove dangerous and create even worse tension in the world. As a superpower we should also be a super servant in the global community."

Bond of unity

The day ended with a two-hour Eucharist at Casa San Pablo, a Roman Catholic school in Santo Domingo. Griswold delighted the congregation of about 2,500 by celebrating the Eucharist and preaching in Spanish.

"Peace means being in solidarity with one another," he said. "Differences of language and culture and nationality are brought together in a bond of unity. Our different ways of living the Gospel in our particular contexts enrich one another. They expand our understanding of Christ. They allow us to experience the total Christ who speaks to us through the particularity of one another."

Griswold concluded, "Christ is present in the hopes and struggles of those who relieve suffering, promote justice and wage peace. And Christ is also present in those whose burdens we seek to relieve--the poor, the oppressed and those who have no helper."

In commending the work of the diocese, he said, "You make significant contributions to the people of your country, regardless of their faith. I am so impressed with the health ministries, the ministry of nutrition and of education you carry out for all citizens... You are true bearers of Christ's peace. May he continue to send you forth in his service as signs of his compassion and love. And may each one of you have the courage to knock on whatever door the Spirit guides you to. When the door opens, greet those who stand before you and say 'Peace to this house.'"