The Most Revd Ramón Ovalle Leiva has been installed as the new Primate of Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América (the Anglican Church of Central America), also known as IARCA.
On Saturday, 29 August, at the Catedral Episcopal Santiago Apóstol in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Bishop Ramón (Diocesan Bishop of Guatemala and Acting Bishop of Panama) became the seventh primate of the Anglican province since it was established in 1998. Archbishop Ramón was elected in April this year and succeeds the Most Revd Juan David Alvarado Melgar.
One of the key themes highlighted throughout the service of installation was the importance of unity, made visible in liturgical celebration and in shared mission.
In the spirit of that unity, representatives from the dioceses of IARCA were present at the service and a letter was read out from the Most Revd Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, offering his prayers for the new primate. As reported by Episcopal News Service, it said: 'We pray with thanksgiving for your installation as primate of IARCA, and for the gifts you bring to this ministry... We pray for God’s strength and guidance as you all together – primate, bishops, clergy and laity – face significant challenges, both internal and external.'
Following the service, the new primate wrote to the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, as well as the other Primates of the Anglican Communion, saying: ‘I write to introduce myself as I take up the call to serve as Primate of the Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América (IARCA), a call I receive with humility and deep gratitude to God, who alone equips us for the work he sets before us.
Responding to an encouragement from the Secretary General, Archbishop Ramón said: ‘I am grateful to Bishop Anthony Poggo for his gracious words… and for the care with which he continues to hold our Communion together in fellowship. I give thanks, too, for the faithful ministry of my predecessor, Archbishop David Alvarado, whose leadership of IARCA leaves a legacy I am honoured to build upon, and I rejoice that he continues to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of El Salvador.’
‘It is a great joy to join this company of Primates. My desire is simple: to walk with you in prayer, to share in our common mission of proclaiming Christ and serving his world, and to seek every opportunity for honest dialogue that we might grow together in the unity our Lord desires for his Church. I look forward to knowing each of you and to the work we will share.’
About Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América (IARCA)
The province of IARCA encompasses five dioceses and five countries, from Guatemala to Panama, and has a population of approximately 30,100,000. Due to the geography of the province, the region faces many environmental challenges, including severe droughts and flooding, as well as political instability and food insecurity. Poverty and infrastructure challenges are also prevalent across much of the province. Alongside working to strengthen leadership in the region, the province is also invested in disaster preparedness and environmental reform.
One of the first actions Archbishop Ramón undertook as Primate of IARCA was to release a pastoral letter inviting the Church to contemplate water as a ‘source of life, as a gift from God and as a human responsibility’ during the Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October. The theme for this year’s Season of Creation is ‘living water’.
The letter, titled Living Water: A Gift from God, a Human Right, a Responsibility for Everyone, shares the important message that this season ‘is not merely a matter of setting aside a few weeks of the church calendar to talk about nature. It is about renewing our awareness that creation belongs to God and that we are his creatures and his servants, not its absolute owners.’