RECIFE, Brazil: Evangelical Diocese of Recife Registers Significant Growth

[david at virtueonline.org]

RECIFE, Brazil: Evangelical Diocese of Recife Registers Significant Growth

>From the Secretary for Diocesan Communication 
February 18, 2009

The Diocese of Recife has enjoyed continual growth since its dissociation from the Brazilian Province (IEAB-Porto Alegre), in 2005, when in the same year it was received by the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America (Buenos Aires). In 2005, the Diocesan roll registered 4,371 members; by 2008 the figure stood at 6,033.

The number of confirmed members actively involved in church life more than doubled, increasing from 1,488 in 2005 to 3,278 in 2008, not including the 511 members of the Archdeanery in the United States, provisionally affiliated to the Diocese of Recife pending the structuring of the new orthodox Anglican Church in North America.

During 2005-2008, Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti ministered the Confirmation Rite to 1,640 new members (2005 = 573; 2006 = 313; 2007 = 351; 2008 = 403). The number of confirmed members has now exceeded the number of non-confirmed members indicating consolidation and maturity. 

The Diocese of Recife (notwithstanding some transfers) has also seen the number of ordained clergy double: from 32 ex-communicated by the IEAB in 2005 to 60 in 2008; in addition, at present, there are 22 North American clergy who have canonical residence in Recife.  

The four Archdeaneries in the North East region comprise 36 communities (Parishes, Missions, and Church plants) with new church plants in the pipeline. Last year a missionary archdeanery was created for the South/Southeast region (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and other states); under its jurisdiction there are already 10 church communities. In North America five parishes are linked to Recife giving a total of 51 churches in eight Brazilian states and two North American states.   

In João Pessoa there is a flourishing theological seminary (SAT-PB), while in Recife the main theological seminary (SAT-PE) is restructuring and reorganizing for the future. Three smaller seminaries have also been set up (IATs) as the diocese looks to train leaders for the mission field. 

Characterized by holistic mission (evangelism, teaching, koinonia, service and prophetic ministry), present in the most diverse of social classes, with a creative variety of emphases and methodologies (Cursillo, Alpha Course, Youth evangelism events, Marriage Encounter, and many others), the Diocese of Recife continues to run and support all manner of social projects including, crèches for poor children, pre-schools, clubs for the elderly, partnerships with AA, clinics, food distributions in conjunction with local authorities, and citizenship and human rights awareness and lobbies. 

The clergy and laity demonstrate a strong interest in the knowledge of Holy Scripture, in the reformed tradition of sound doctrine and in the Anglican denomination with its contribution to Brazilian Christianity. This year - after the renewal of our canons - we highlight a programme of publications, the Brazilian Common Book of Prayer (LOCb) and the book "Anglicanism: identity, relevance and challenges" both of which are currently at the press.

The Diocese of Recife established as its vision statement for 2009: "Enlarging the tents: Recife, the North East, Brazil" (Isaiah 54.2). 

END