Primates and Provincial Secretaries from across the Americas and the Caribbean gathered in São Paulo, Brazil, from 10 to 12 August for a first-of-its-kind regional meeting.
Supported by the Anglican Alliance’s role of building relationships and bringing people together across the Anglican Communion, the gathering reflects the Alliance’s role in connecting Anglican leaders, churches and organisations to strengthen shared witness, learning and collaboration across diverse contexts.
The meeting created a unique space for Provinces from across the region to come together, deepen relationships, engage in honest and meaningful conversation, and discern shared priorities for the future. Over three days, participants reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing their churches and communities, sharing experiences, studying scripture together, and exploring new possibilities for mutual support and partnership.
Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Office, commented on the meeting:
‘It is wonderful to be here this week in São Paulo where there is a meeting of general secretaries of the Anglican churches here in the Americas region and the primates of this region convened by the Anglican Church here in Brazil. It is wonderful to be part of this meeting, to sit in, learn about this region and what is happening in these provinces…. It’s good that the Anglican Alliance is also taking a part in helping, facilitating the practical arrangements for this meeting.’
You can watch the full video of Bishop Anthony Poggo here:
Archbishop Sally Hernandez, Primate of the Anglican Church of Mexico and Trustee of the Anglican Alliance, reflected on the significance of the gathering:
‘It has been an opportunity for us to share our experiences, to also share the different challenges and hurdles that our contexts are facing at this time. We thank God for the opportunity to reconnect among the different provinces of the Americas, but above all, to strengthen fellowship and communion with one another. The presence, support, and accompaniment of the Anglican Alliance has also been an opportunity, as they rightly say, to connect, to equip, and to inspire in the work and ministry that we all have as a Church and which we share on this occasion.’
Rob Dawes, Executive Director of the Anglican Alliance, said:
‘It is an honour to be able to be part of this really important meeting, and journey together as the Holy Spirit guides these provinces to work more closely together. In a world where we are so often seeing fracturing and polarisation of different groups, it is refreshing to see people actively choosing to come together to support each other in the challenges they face.’
The conversations in São Paulo will continue beyond this gathering. Following the meeting, several Primates and Provincial Secretaries are remaining in the city to participate in the Anglican Alliance’s three-day A Place at the Table immersive envisioning event, alongside other participants from across the region.
For more information about the events taking place in São Paulo, including A Place at the Table, click here.
