Bishops visit Episcopal mission sites in spiritually ‘nourishing’ tour of Dominican Republic

[Episcopal News Service — Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic] Episcopal bishops and their spouses spent the second day of their fall gathering visiting different missions operated by the Santo Domingo-based Diocese of the Dominican Republic, including its cathedral and nearby schools.

The missions visited by the 82 bishops and 38 spouses on Sept. 11 are among the Province IX diocese’s 67 congregations serving 5,000 Episcopalians and the local communities.

“We feel highly rejoiced with the bishops’ visit here in the Dominican Republic,” the Rev. P. Obispo Encarnación, vicar of Iglesia Episcopal San Andrés in Santo Domingo, told Episcopal News Service.

San Andrés is connected to the Colegio Episcopal San Andrés, an early childhood and elementary school. The bishops who visited San Andrés were greeted by students dancing in school uniforms and Dominican folk dresses. While they toured the school, students in one classroom sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and welcomed them in Spanish and English. Outside, more students assembled for a special dance performance for the bishops. Some students gave presentations on what they’re learning in school, such as Dominican history and music.

Also in Santo Domingo, the capital, some bishops visited the Catedral Episcopal de la Epifanía – Cathedral of the Epiphany – where they were greeted with live clarinet, violin and organ performances. Chicago Bishop Paula Clark and Arkansas Bishop John Harmon told ENS that they were impressed by the cathedral’s community outreach despite its small size.

“[The congregation is] meeting the needs of the people according to the Gospel,” Clark said.

Harmon said he was surprised to learn that Epiphany had a woman dean “long before” any Episcopal seminary in the United States had a woman dean.

“It shows that they have been committed to theological education for a very long time in the Caribbean despite limited resources,” he said. “they’re doing great work – doing a lot with a little.”

In San Pedro de Marcorís, some bishops visited the Iglesia Episcopal San Esteban, which also has an elementary school and the Clínica Esperanza y Caridad, a medical center.

The Rt. Rev. Austin Rios, the San Francisco-based Diocese of California’s first Latino bishop, told ENS that visiting San Esteban reminded him of his experience with ministries when he lived in Rome, Italy, for 12 years as rector of St. Paul’s Within-the-Walls Episcopal Church. He said San Esteban’s ministry “feels very similar” to the ministerial work being done in Italy. 

“I felt a lot of resonance … I am so thankful to see the joy and also the resilience that comes with doing this kind of ministry and seeing how it’s affecting people’s lives,” Rios said. “The great people we encountered at St. Esteban and in the Dominican Republic have been incredibly hospitable. It’s a wonderful gift to be here with the rest of the House of Bishops.”

This Sept. 10-15 meeting is one of two annual in-person House of Bishops gatherings. The fall meetings occur during non-General Convention years and, as is the case this year, usually include bishops’ spouses. The fall 2025 meeting is also notably the Most Rev. Sean Rowe’s second House of Bishops as presiding bishop.

In Boca Chica, a popular beach town for tourists, students at Colegio Episcopal San José also greeted visiting bishops with live musical performances. The elementary school is part of the Iglesia Episcopal San José, which also operates a retirement home for the community.

While touring the San José church, retirement home and school, the bishops listened to a priest preach about diversity in the global church and being “united in we all share the same blood in Jesus Christ.”

Minnesota Bishop Craig Loya described his experience visiting San José to ENS as “nourishing.”

“I think one of the advantages and the gifts of convening the House of Bishops in [the Dominican Republic] is it’s a way of reminding us all that we really do have this global, diverse church, and that is really part of our great gift as a church,” Loya said. “We’re grateful to be here.”

The House of Bishops gathering is underway through Sept. 15. The bishops will continue business and affinity group meetings and discussions, plenaries and other listening sessions. On Sept. 13, the Diocese of the Dominican Republic will host a special Eucharist with Dominican Republic Bishop Moisés Quezada Mota celebrating and Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe preaching. The local Episcopalians and bishops will engage in fellowship following the worship service.

Encarnación said the bishops interacting with local Episcopalians while in the Dominican Republic will further increase global unity in The Episcopal Church. “For us here in the Dominican Republic, this is very important because we feel supported by all the bishops worldwide.”

-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service. She can be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.