What is the Diocese of Southeast Mexico? Southeast Mexico is one of the five dioceses in the Iglesia de México (Mexican Province of the Anglican Communion). It was granted autonomy by General Convention 1997. The Episcopal Church will provide support to the Mexican church for 25 years, with the stipend diminishing at a rate of 4 percent per year.
The Diocese of Southeast Mexico is one of the largest in the worldwide Anglican Communion covering the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Chiapas, almost 25 percent of the land mass of Mexico. This part of Mexico is among the poorest in the nation and it is one of the poorest dioceses in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The largest source of revenue in this area is tourism, but most of the rural areas do not have the more common tourist attractions and cannot access this source of revenue. Other sources of revenue are agriculture, and, in some of the costal area, fishing economies. Although there are several major cities in the diocese, most Anglican churches are in the countryside and are what we would call missions; few are self supporting or even currently capable of being self supporting.
What would you find if you visited? When you visit Southeast Mexico, you are surprised by what you will find. Geographically, it ranges from gulf coastal to piedmont to mountainous. Much of it is uninhabited. It is not uncommon to see wild monkeys, flocks of parrots, pumas and clouds of multicolored butterflies in the mountain region. Incredible varieties of flowers and vegetation flourish in the sub-tropical climate.
Even more striking than the slights of the flora and fauna, are the incredible people. Indigenous groups heavily populate Southeast Mexico and indigenous peoples worship in the missions, often in their native language. Many are bilingual, speaking both Spanish and an indigenous language such as Mixotec, Zapotec or Masotec. This is an area rich in the culture of such people. Life is not easy for these people but you are almost overwhelmed by the love that these people have for each other and which they so generously offer to you. Rarely do you hear the children cry. The sounds of quarreling among them are notably absent. But you are caught by the sound of laughter and cannot resist joining in. The adults are a bit more shy. At first, you may feel that they are quietly watching you, then you realize that what they are really doing is lovingly watching over you. Soon the shyness evaporates and you discover the same marvelous quality to laugh and to find joy at all times and in all things. You soon realize that they have as much to teach you as you have to bring to them. But the fact remains, this is poverty. These are people for whom obtaining health care is difficult and sometimes unobtainable. Simple things that we take for granted, like prayer books, bibles, hymnals, glue, construction paper, scissors are luxuries. In many communities, a shower is a bucket of cold water, direct from the spring poured over the head. So much can be done to improve the quality of life while being mindful of the need to maintain the marvelous culture of these peoples. The Struggle of the Diocese  At the diocesan level, one does not see luxury. The Bishop, Benito Juarez has a staff of one, his wife. They are responsible for the administration, pastoral care, finances and day to day business of all of the seventeen congregations (which are served by nine priests) in addition to all of the things that we normally consider the functions of a bishop.
Given the size geographically of the diocese, it is not uncommon for the bishop to drive 24 hours or more over roads that are often scarcely more than dirt paths to reach various of the congregations. Heat, road conditions, lack of clergy and staff and very limited resources, seem to be merely passing inconveniences to this peaceful, compassionate loving man. When you talk with him, you cannot help but get caught up in his optimism and faith. Self sufficiency for his congregations is the overarching dream of Bishop Benito. A key part of this plan is the Anglican Center in Tuxtepec, Oaxaca. You hear the words “Anglican Center” and visions of a cathedral and vast additional buildings come to mind. In fact, this is a small farm property purchased by the diocese with assistance from the United Thank Offering and others. A small cement block residence and a larger stucco residence stand on the property as well as a large covered patio. The Bishop’s initial hope, now realized with technical assistance from Heifer International and financial assistance from the Diocese of Chicago, was a herd of seventeen cattle, one for each of the congregations, to graze on the fertile land. |
