Across many dioceses in Latin America the news of Sarah Mullaly’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury has been met with enthusiasm. From Cuba through Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador, lay people and clergy from the various Anglican communities celebrated.
“We are blessed with the life and ministry of Bishop Sarah,” said Bishop Juan Carlos Quiñonez of Ecuador Central. “She is an incredible leader, full of love and a heart dedicated to Jesus. The church is on its way. Congratulations, Archbishop Sarah!”
Bishop Ramon Ovalle of Guatemala echoed these thoughts: “This historic appointment uplifts the critical ministry of women within our church.”
The Most Rev. Marinez Bassotto, Bishop of Amazonia and Primate of the Anglican Church in Brazil, considers herself a friend of the new Archbishop of Canterbury and has met with her since her appointment. Marinez will be present for Mullaly’s installation as the new Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25.
October 3 was “a beautiful day in the Anglican Communion,” she said.
“This election brings a new perspective to leadership in the midst of time of challenges, ruptures and crises, both in the church and in the world,” she said. “We live in a time where prejudices, violence, and intolerance are intensifying and taking on frightening proportions. We are a society of polarizations and disputes. Archbishop Sarah, with her life and ministry experience, has served in roles of great leadership but also in ministries of care and compassion. She embodies the wisdom, empathy, love, strength, and courage that are needed to guide the church in these times.
“This election brings a breath of fresh air. It marks the beginning of a new time for the church. It is a sign of how much our Anglican Communion has broadened its vision, becoming more inclusive and welcoming. It also challenges the doubts and fears there have been in relation to the ordination of women. It has been 50 years of women’s ordination as priests and deacons and several decades of women’s episcopal ministry across many provinces of the Anglican Communion. This election has brought our discourse much closer to our practice.”
While the election of Archbishop Sarah has not met with universal joy, in much of Latin America she will find support and solidarity. Anglican congregations in these regions have built themselves as communities of tolerance, openness, and inclusion.
The Rt. Rev Julio César Martin, Bishop of Southeastern Mexico, has a particular take on Mullaly’s election: “[In my region], domestic violence is inflicted upon women of all ages, and we live with entrenched discrimination against women. I consider of the utmost significance that a woman has reached the highest office in the Anglican Communion.
“Many Christian girls—Anglican girls—in cultures where women’s advancement faces challenges, seeing a fellow sister in that position inspires young girls to dream and plan and fight for their rights and dreams.,” he added. “So, as a bishop who promotes women in ministry in my diocese, I am elated in the election of Dame Sarah Mullally.”
Bishop Ovalle of Guatemala expressed disappointment in Anglicans who have distanced themselves from the Archbishop of Canterbury, before and after Mullaly’s appointment: “We take seriously our commitment to the whole Anglican Communion, and will maintain our full commitment to the operation and maintenance of the unity of our church.”
Bassotto, one of Archbishop Sarah’s greatest supporters in the Anglican church in Latin America has stated with great enthusiasm:
“We are inaugurating a new moment of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and our way of living it as Anglicans as part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church,” she added. “We are removing obstacles, taking down walls, and building bridges.”
The Rev. Emilie Smith is Guest Writer on Covenant. She is parish priest of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, New Westminster, Canada, and TLC’s Latin America correspondent.
