Following the publication on this blog about the pulverization of Anglicanism in Mexico and the analysis of the podcast Bajo Llave, which exposed the conflicts in the various dioceses that make up that church, from the Diocese of the North the situation that community is experiencing is presented. It now faces serious differences and legal matters in order to resolve the dispute between dissenters and supporters of the official hierarchy.
The diocese administrator, Father Iván Garza, from the Anglican cathedral in Monterrey, explains in an interview how the tough legal battle has been, which has already lasted for more than two years.
His reflections and responses, offered to the journalist María Eugenia Jiménez from the podcast Bajo Llave and to the author of this blog, reveal the differences that must be overcome. As he himself expresses: “There is something stronger than any conflict, unity, brotherhood, and Christian fraternity… As pastors we are called to build bridges and not walls, to seek dialogue even in the midst of wounds and to remember that the Church does not belong to one person nor revolve around proper names,” he states, agreeing that the Anglican Church must close wounds and “listen to each other with humility, thinking more about the clergy, the faithful, and the people of God than about power or who is right.”
The Anglican Church of Mexico, despite the autonomy enjoyed by its different communities, is suffering a delicate crisis that has led to weariness among the clergy and the faithful, as the same Anglican cleric acknowledges: “uncertainty, fatigue, and confusion only generate more wounds and prolong a conflict that seems endless. Meanwhile, people continue to need pastors, accompaniment, hope, and a close Church.”
While this faction of the clergy in northern Mexico tries to move forward by promoting social projects, accompanying searching mothers, and carrying out various pastoral activities, it proceeds without recognizing Bishop Óscar Gerardo Pulido García, who, along with the Primate of Mexico, Sally Sue Hernández García, does not have the approval of the Diocese of the North. However, the diocesan administrator is optimistic and seeks to open channels of dialogue, as he expressed to this medium, to resolve the legal and administrative problems without destroying the communion or the mission of the church, accepting to resolve things with spiritual maturity, prudence, and willingness, because Anglicanism in Mexico is in an internal war that will continue to deepen the division.
While the Anglicans of the Diocese of the North hope that the legal arrangements will usher in a new stage of reconciliation and restore communion, as Father Iván Garza affirms, what is important is service to God and to the brothers with fidelity, humility, and love.
The interview with Reverend Iván Garza, administrator of the Diocese of the North can be seen below here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8mCqp0nY8w