|
|
IGLESIA EPISCOPAL DOMINICANA EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Decade of Growth |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| . | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diocesan Tour
                  Click on Pictures to enlarge. |
The Dominican Republic, like most Latin American countries, is Roman Catholic. As a result, the Episcopal Church in its early history focused on establishing its spiritual identity and building an infrastructure that would allow for future growth. Thanks to Dominican Episcopalians such as Fr. Thomas Basden and Bishop Telesforo Isaac, the Episcopal Church became an integral part of those communities where Episcopal churches were located. The Church also gained a reputation for the quality of education it provided in its Christian schools. In 1992, the Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana changed its focus and entered into an impressive decade of growth. Following are statistics from 1992 and 2003 which illustrate this period of significant growth:
Diocesan Facts The diocese has its a seminary where most of its priests have been trained. The diocese established a program for vocational deacons. There are currently 20 Dominicans participating in the program. Of our 31 active clergy, we have one bishop, 29 priests, one vocational deacon, and one transitional deacons. Twenty-two of our clergy are Dominicans, one is Mexican, four are from Haiti, one from Columbia, two from Cuba and one from the United States. 4,200 students are educated in Episcopal schools. The schools must be self-supporting. 580 students whose families could not pay tuition received scholarships from churches and individuals in the USA in 2004. There are 3 children’s shelters in the diocese. These shelters provide education and nutritional programs for the poor. Two were developed in the last four years. The Sisters of Transfiguration, an Episcopal order of nuns, manage a clinic, nutritional, and education program in San Pedro de Marcoris. The Bishop Kellogg Conference and Retreat Center was opened in February 2003. The center hosts Christian work and medical teams, but other Christian groups may rent the facilities for their activities. Camp Transfiguration, an Episcopal Camp in the mountains near Jarabacoa, can house up 90 people. Other Christian denominations may rent the camp. Clinica Esperanza, a regional medical clinic for the poor, was opened in 1998 and provides physical rehabilitation, dentistry, cardiology, pediatrics, general medicine, gynecology, and pharmacy services. Dominican Episcopal Church Women have a micro-business loan program for women. The ECW has been a major force in the church for many years, but they have become involved in more programs in recent years. During the last decade these programs have become active in the diocese: Cursillo, Happenings, Daughters of the King, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and a Episcopal Men’s group. The Next 10 Years – 2003 - 2012 The diocese has a plan for the next 10 years. It is an ambitious one which requires the commitment of clergy and lay leaders, as well as the participation of mission-minded partners in the United States. Here are some highlights from the plan: Establish 19 new congregations in cities where there is no Episcopal Church presence. Establish 6 new churches in Santo Domingo for a total of 12 churches in the nation’s capitol. Open homes for senior citizens who are living in poverty. Establish additional children’s shelters in areas of intense poverty. Recruit and develop 25 additional priests and significantly increase clergy salaries.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
"You Are My Witnesses" St. Luke 28: 48 Tele. #: (809) 686-7493; (809) 688-6016 FAX: (809) 686-6364 E-Mail: iglepidom@verizon.net.do |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
