Companion Diocese of Ecuador Central

From the 2009 Convention of the Diocese:

The Rev. Canon Servio Moscoso, Chair of the Companion Diocese Committee, offered greetings from the Diocese of Ecuador Central and called on Deacon Emily Holman, Secretary of the Companion Diocese Committee, to present the following Resolution:

The Companion Diocese Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey proposes the following Resolution on the entering into a companion relationship with the Diocese of Ecuador Central and a prayer relationship with the Diocese of Ecuador Litoral

Whereas, at the request of Bishop Councell the Committee set about the investigation of a companion relationship between the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Ecuador Central; and

Whereas, in furtherance of that request the following members of the Committee traveled to Ecuador from April 7 to April 14, 2008: Rev. Servio Moscoso (Chair); Rev. Pedro Guzman; Vincent Tortorello and John Ackerman; and

Whereas, those Committee members met with The Right Reverend Wilfrido Ramos, Bishop of the Diocese of Ecuador Central and with members of the Companion Diocese Committee of the Diocese of Ecuador Central and had a full discussion of matters spiritual and temporal regarding a companion diocese relationship between the two Dioceses; and

Whereas, the aforesaid Committee members also visited parishes and schools throughout the Diocese of Ecuador Central and were warmly received throughout said Diocese; and Whereas, the Committee, after due deliberation, has reached the conclusion to support the companion relationship between the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Ecuador Central as beneficial to both Dioceses; and

Whereas, during the Committee’s visit to Ecuador, discussions were had between Rev. Moscoso and Mr. Tortorello and The Right Reverend Alfredo Morante of the Diocese of Ecuador Litoral, regarding a prayer relationship between the two Dioceses, which discussions were also fruitful and collegial;

Be It Therefore Resolved

That the Committee hereby recommends that a Companion Relationship between the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Ecuador Central be entered into for a period of three years; and

That the Committee further recommends that a three year prayer relationship be entered into between the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Ecuador Litoral at the same time; and

That the Committee requests that this resolution be presented to the appropriate entities of the Diocese of New Jersey for their action and approval; and

That the Committee expresses its thanks to Bishop Councell for his assistance and encouragement throughout this process.

The Resolution was passed. Canon Moscoso presented Bishop Councell with the flag of Ecuador Central.