Bishop Naudal Alves Gomes of our companion diocese, the Diocese of Curitiba sent these greetings to our 2010 Pride Eucharist. Here's is the how Michael Tedrich, our diocesan missioner to Curitiba, presented Bishop Gomes' remarks:

Bom Dia. This past year I have been living in Curitiba, Brazil, as Diocesan Missioner from the Episcopal Diocese of California to The Diocese of Curitiba in Parana.  Last year while much of the world stood silent, The Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil spoke with a loud and clear voice, condemning the policies and proposed legislation that would jail and execute our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in Uganda.  In December, 2009, in an official letter, The Primate wrote, “No Christian is allowed to persecute or threaten other human beings because of their sexuality…   it is an abomination to exert prejudice against anyone.”  It is an honor to read a message to you, from my colleague and friend, Bishop Naudal Alves Gomes. Some of you met him two years ago when he visited San Francisco.

The Episcopal Diocese of California and The Anglican Diocese of Curitiba are Companion Dioceses.

The letter reads—

Meus Irmaos e Minhas Irmas,

It is with pride that we stand united with you in steadfast solidarity, for the equality and liberation of every human being; of every nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.  With clarity of intention and with strong conviction, we live into Christ’s New Commandment,

“Love one another, as I have loved you.”

Deus abencoe a todos e todas,

Dom Naudal Alves Gomes

Bispo, Diocese de Curitiba

Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil

Muito obrigado meus amigos e minhas amigas.

 Gracas a Deus.

 

Background: California, a relationship approved at the October 2007 Diocesan Convention and ratified by The Episcopal Church in February 2008. Located about 5 hours southwest of Sao Paolo, the diocese was founded in 2003 and is led by the Rt. Rev. Naudal Alves Gomes. The Diocese of California entered into the partnership in hopes of connecting individual people within the two dioceses and building personal bridges between our two continents. The partnership will also strengthen our work on the Millennium Development Goals. At a time when ties between members of the Anglican Communion are strained, this partnership offers us hope that reconciliation between Christians is always possible despite our different interpretations of the word of God.  More.