The Episcopal  Church in the Dominican Republic

Overview

The Dominican Episcopal Church is a missionary diocese of the United States Episcopal Church and is in the IX Province or Caribbean Region. The Diocese encompasses the entire country and is divided into four deaneries.

The Episcopal Church in the DR is growing. During the period 1997 - 2002 at least two new churches have been constructed annually. Since 2000, five new churches, four new schools and a second children's shelter have been completed. A major project was the construction of a modern retreat center in San Pedro de Macoris. This center has accommodations for 35 visitors and will be used for diocesan functions as well as visiting mission teams. In addition, a major addition to an existing school, a new school, two homes for priests and two new churches are under construction.

The 43 mission churches in the Diocese are served by Bishop Julio Holguin, 24 priests and one vocational deacon. There are 9 missionaries in the Diocese. In 2001, an educational program for vocational deacons was started. Over 50 candidates are enrolled.

The Diocese now has 17 schools, two medical clinics, two children's shelters, a seminary, computer training programs for adults and children and a camp in the mountains.

Recently, Bishop Holguin was named president of the Latin American Council of Churches and will serve in this prestigious position for six years.

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