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Thursday October 25, 2007

manos ALC
manos ALC

Latin American and Caribbean GLOBAL CENTER

Anglican Church, SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, June 1, 2007

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every Taxi Heathrow Airport effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3

"By this all people would know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

We the Anglican Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, who sign below, gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica from the 18 to 22 of May 2007, renew and ratify our position proposed in Panama, better known as the Global Center, in which we call the Communion to preserve its participative nature, diverse, ample and inclusive, characteristics which we consider essential to Anglicanism and at the same time our contribution to the Christian tradition.

Since our last meeting, our concern has grown because of the polarization regarding the biblical and theological positions manifested in the Anglican Communion, during the last years; positions known as Global North and Global South, non reconcilable in their character and putting the unity in the Communion at risk.

In the midst of this painful controversy, we do not identify with either side, because they don't fully represent the spirit of our thoughts.

It has been proven in our relations that we greatly represent the plurality and diversity that are universal characteristics of Anglicanism and that we hold different positions on the themes that are presently discussed in the Communion. However, we have also experienced that the plurality and diversity we represent has become a rich source for growth, rather than a cause for controversy and division.

We unanimously express our determination to remain united as members of the same family and will continue to come to the Lord's Table, together.

We invite our brothers and sisters in the episcopate, as well as all the members of the clergy and laity who identify with this vision, to join together and work for an effective reconciliation, interdependence and unity in the diversity of our family of faith and so preserve the valuable legacy of which we are guardians.

As disciples of Jesus, called to live out the mandate of love (St. John 15:17), we declare our commitment to be together and with all our strength, struggle for unity, as an act of obedience to His will expressed in the Holy Scriptures. Trusting that the Holy Spirit, whose descent we are about to celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost, will guide and strengthen us on such a difficult journey.

The experience of these few days confirms our conviction that, we will make it with God's blessings. Of this, we are sure and now we return to our dioceses comforted and full of joy and hope.

San José, Costa Rica, May, 2007.

The Rt. Rev. Mauricio Andrade Diócesis de Brasilia, Brasil Primate

The Rt. Rev. Carlos Touché Porter Diócesis de Mexico Primate

The Rt. Rev. Martin Barahona Diócesis de El Salvador Primate

The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen Diócesis de Honduras Province IX President, The Episcopal Church

The Rt. Rev. Jubal Neves Diócesis South Ocidental, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Naudal Gomez Diócesis de Curitiva, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Sebastiao Gamaleira Diócesis de Recife, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Filadelfo Oliveira Diócesis de Recife, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Orlando Santos de Oliveira Diócesis Meridional, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Armando Guerra Soria Diócesis de Guatemala

The Rt. Rev. Julio E. Murray Diócesis de Panamá

The Rt. Rev. Héctor Monterroso Diócesis de Costa Rica

The Rt. Rev. Lino Rodríguez Diócesis del Occidente de México

The Rt. Rev. Benito Juárez Diócesis del Sureste de México

The Rt. Rev. Francisco Duque Diócesis de Colombia

The Rt. Rev. Alfredo Morante Diócesis Litoral, Ecuador

The Rt. Rev. Orlando Guerrero Diócesis de Venezuela

The Rt. Rev. Miguel Tamayo Diócesis de Uruguay y Diócesis de Cuba

The Rt. Rev. Wilfredo Ramos Diócesis de Ecuador Central

The Rt. Rev. Julio Cesar Holguín Diócesis de República Dominica

The Rt. Rev. José Antonio Ramos Retired Bishop