Luis Coelho - Membro do GT-Comunicação da IEAB
Rev. Cônego Francisco de Assis da Silva eleito Bispo Coadjutor da Diocese Sul-Ocidental
No domingo, dia 25 de outubro de 2010, foi realizado concílio extraordinário da Diocese Sul-Ocidental (DSO), com sé em Santa Maria, RS, para a eleição de novo bispo coadjutor, que a seu tempo, sucederá o atual bispo (Dom Jubal Neves) como diocesano. (English translation below)
Ganhou a eleição, no primeiro escrutínio, o Rev. Cônego Francisco de Assis da Silva, atual secretário geral da IEAB. Segundo o Rev. Cônego Carlos Getúlio Hallberg, “A DSO repetiu seu costume em eleições episcopais, ou seja, elegeu o bispo no primeiro escrutínio, pois assim foi com Olavo, Jubal, Naudal e agora Francisco”. Eis os resultados:
Votos de clérigos Votos de leigos
Rev. Cônego Francisco de Assis da Silva 14 34
Rev. Ana Maria Esvael Lopes 06 19
Rev. Cônega Carmen Etel Alves Gomes 1 2
Rev. Jorge Guaraci 1 0
O Concilio iniciou com uma bela celebração eucaristica com a presença de clerigos(as) e leigos (as) de toda a Diocese, a Catedral esteve repleta no momento da Celebração. Segundo o Bispo-Primaz, Dom Maurício Andrade, “a Celebração foi marcada pela busca da unção do Espirito Santo, e não obstante tudo o que aconteceu no período anterior ao dia da eleição, foi possivel sentir um momento especial para esse momento de eleição.”
A DSO vem resistindo bravamente nestes últimos meses, após a grave doença que acometeu seu bispo diocesano. Graças a Deus, Dom Jubal já apresenta melhoras, mas não pôde estar presente no concílio extraordiário. A IEAB renova os votos de oração pela vida de Dom Jubal e de sua família, e transmite a esperança de que ele possa se recuperar brevemente.
O Rev. Cônego Francisco de Assis da Silva encontrava-se, no momento da eleição, na Tanzânia, onde participou da assembleia da ACT Alliance (uma aliança de diversas agências missionárias e de serviço aos necessitados), na qual foi eleito vice-moderador. Em sua mensagem de aceite do resultado, pediu que “Deus seja [seu] auxiliador e que a Igreja seja [sua] conselheira neste caminhar.” Também agradeceu “as manifestações dos senhores bispos e de clérigos e leigos” pediu “a cada um que coloquem [sua] vida e a vida de Talita em suas orações”.
De acordo com os cânones da Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, a eleição ainda carece de aprovação dos bispos e conselhos diocesanos. Tão logo tais resultados sejam obtidos, a sagração do novo bispo coadjutor será agendada.
Francisco, mais conhecido como Xico, é natural de Olinda/PE, cursou teologia no Seminário Teológico Batista do Norte do Brasil, complementando seus estudos anglicanos no Seminário Anglicano de Estudos Teológicos, no Recife. Foi ordenado diácono em janeiro de 1991 e presbítero em dezembro do mesmo ano. Foi Reitor da Paróquia (agora Catedral) de Santa Maria (em Belém do Pará), coordenador do Centro de Estudos Anglicanos e reitor da Paróquia de Todos os Santos em Novo Hamburgo/RS. De 2003 a 2006, ocupou concomitantemente a presidência da Câmara de Clérigos e Leigos. Ele também é advogado e Mestre em Ciências Políticas.
Brazil: Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis Silva is elected Bishop Coadjutor
By Luis Coelho - member of the Communications Working Group
The Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis Silva is elected Bishop Coadjutor for the Southwestern Brazil Diocese
On Sunday, October 25th 2010, an extraordinary diocesan council was held in Santa Maria, RS, the See of the Diocese of Southwestern Brazil. The council was called to elect a Bishop Coadjutor, who will eventually succeed the Rt. Rev. Jubal Neves as the Diocesan. The Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis da Silva, currently IEAB’s Provincial Secretary, was elected in the first round. According to the Rev. Canon Carlos Getúlio Hallberg, the Diocese of Southwestern Brazil is known for electing bishops in the first round, having done the same in the last four episcopal elections held there. Here are the results:
Clergy votes Lay votes
Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis da Silva 14 34
Rev. Ana Maria Esvael Lopes 06 19
Rev. Canon Carmen Etel Alves Gomes 1 2
Rev. Jorge Guaraci 1 0
The council began with a lively celebration of the Holy Eucharist in a packed cathedral. According to the Primate, The Most Rev. Maurício Andrade, people were seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and one could feel that it was a very special moment, despite all the pain experienced in the diocese in the months leading up to the election. The diocese has been prayerfully moving forward in the last months, after an unexpected disease forced the Rt. Rev. Jubal Neves to be hospitalized, just months before he was set to retire. Thanks be to God, his health has been improving, but sadly, he could not attend the council. IEAB renews its prayers for Bishop Jubal’s health, and for his family, and hopes he will be completely recovered soon.
The Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis da Silva was not present at the council either. He spent the weekend in Tanzania, where he took part of ACT Alliance‘s Assembly, where he was elected Vice-Moderator. ACT-Alliance is a network of ecumenical relief and mission agencies throughout the world.
Upon learning of his election to the episcopacy in Santa Maria, he released a public statement, asking God to be his helper, and the Church to be his counselor throughout this new path. He also expressed thanks for the warm words that he had received from people around the world, and asked everyone to keep him and and his wife, Talita, in their prayers.
According to IEAB’s Canons, this election needs the consents of a majority of diocesan bishops and standing committees. As soon as the consents are given, the consecration of Bishop-Elect Francisco de Assis da Silva will be scheduled.
Francisco, also known as Xico, was born in Olinda, Pernambuco, and studied Theology at the Northern Brazil Baptist Seminary and Anglican Studies at Recife’s Anglican Seminary. He was ordained a deacon in January 1991, and a priest in December 1991. Prior to his current position as Provincial Secretary, he was the Rector of St. Mary’s Church in Belém do Pará, now St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Diocese of the Amazon. He also worked at the Center for Anglican Studies, and was the Rector of All Saints’ Church in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul. From 2003 to 2006, he was the President of the House of Clergy and Laity. He is also a lawyer, and holds a Master’s degree in Political Science.