Episcopal Church of Brazil celebrates 135th anniversary, 40 years of women’s ordination

[Anglican Communion News Service] The Rt. Rev. Jo Wells, deputy secretary general of the Anglican Communion, visited the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil) to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the church and the 40th anniversary of women’s ordination in the province.

The Church of Brazil was a missionary district of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church until it became an autonomous province within the Anglican Communion in 1980. It now includes nine dioceses and one missionary district.

Wells was hosted by the Most Rev. Marinez Bassotto, primate of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and regional primate for the Americas. Bassotto is the first woman to become a primate in the Church of Brazil and the third female primate in the global Anglican Communion.

Well’s visit began on May 29, when she attended the national meeting of ordained women in Brazil, titled “Women Weaving Justice,” meeting with female clergy, laity, bishops and Bassotto.

The meeting included teaching and dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing ordained women in the region and globally, as well as a reflection on the history of the ordination of women. Participants shared experience and celebrated achievements, so many of which have been led by women persevering in witness to God’s abundant love.

The event gathered 50 people together. Among them was the Rev. Carmen Etel Gomes, who was the first ordained woman in the province.

On June 1, Wells preached at the Anglican National Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in a service to commemorate both the 135th anniversary of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and the 40th anniversary of women’s ordination. The service concluded the four-day meeting of ordained women.

Speaking about her visit Wells said, “I have been overjoyed to be part of the province’s celebration of 40 years since the first ordination of women, and in the diocese of Meridional where the very first of those ordinations took place. Over 50 women have gathered from across the country – lay as well as ordained – to recount the history and to consider next steps.

“I am grateful to Bishop Marinez as primate for her invitation and to witness all she is doing to build and sustain an ambitious vision for mission. And I give thanks to God for the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, a church which may be small (relative to the size of this country), yet which bears significant impact and influence. Of course, there is so much more to do – across all the five Marks of Mission – yet there is so much here to celebrate, from inter-Anglican and ecumenical collaboration, to tackling issues of gender justice and environmental justice.

“My visit began with volunteers at an urban church offering lunch to the homeless and it will end with hospitality from a rural indigenous parish – oh, the beauty and variety of God’s world, even in one province!”

Speaking about the visit, Bassotto said, “The history of women’s leadership in the church is a story of strength, courage, boldness and faith. A story of transformation, movement, action, inclusion, resilience and equity.

“The 40-year history of female ordination in the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil has come a long way. This story began in 1973 and culminated in July 1984, when the General Synod approved female ordination. The historic synodal decision allowed women to be ordained not only to the diaconate and priesthood, but also to the episcopate. This was an unprecedented decision in the Anglican Communion. On May 5, 1985, almost a year later, the church ordained the first woman to the sacred ministry.

“Thanks to the strength of lay women in the church, thanks to the many women who did not even want to be ordained, but who wanted to ensure that those who were called, called by God to the ordained ministry, could say yes and live their vocations fully, many barriers have already been overcome. And many others still need to be broken with our boldness, passion, courage and faith – without ever losing sight of love!”

The Church of Brazil released a statement about the celebratory events, stating, “Looking to the future, we reaffirm our commitment to awakening new female ministerial vocations, ensuring a safe church for all – both clergy and lay women – and promoting the ongoing formation of women, especially at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. We call on our church to continue opening and consolidating spaces for women to act, amplifying their voices in decision-making processes and canonically formalizing gender parity at all levels – parish, diocesan and provincial.

“We also emphasize the urgency of gender, race and ethnic literacy for the entire ecclesial community, so that we may be agents of transformation of the unjust structures of society, challenging all forms of violence and promoting peace and reconciliation.”

At the end of the final service, the Safe Church Working Group announced its publication of a major new resource, “Igreja Segura,” with resources for community dialogue. This is part of a major strategy across the Church of Brazil for addressing issues in safeguarding and protecting the vulnerable.