Today at the IARCA Synod

So, today was the big day at the Synod of la Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América (Anglican Church in the Region of Central America, or IARCA). The House of Bishops of IARCA elected the Rt. Rev. Armando Guerra, Bishop of the Diocese of Guatemala, as the new Primado of IARCA, succeeding the Rt. Rev. Martín Barahona , Bishop of El Salvador and Primado for the past eight years.

The Synod has been meeting at Ciudad de Saber, or the City of Knowledge, located in what was formerly Fort Clayton military base, just across from the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal. We met at the Templo Ecumenico, the former military chapel which is now used by the Ecumenical Committee of Panamá.

Here are my notes of this morning's session"
9:00 am Oracion Matutina (Morning Prayer), led by Revdo. José Moreno de Panamá.
9:26 am Roll is called (but not up yonder, at least not yet).
9:29 am Nominations for President of the House of Deputies.
9:31 am Running unopposed, the Very Rev. George Porter of Nicaragua is elected unanimously.
9:35 am Nominations for Vice-president of the House of Deputies.
9:38 Linda Watts of Costa Rica is elected Vice-president
9:42 am A presentation is given by Group 4 who produced a resolution for the creation of a Provincial Commission of Liturgy.
9:50 am A conversation about the purpose of the House of Deputies ensued.
10:43 am The Rt. Rev. Sturdie Downs, Bishop of Nicaragua, addressed the House of Deputies and announced that the Rt. Rev. Armando Guerra has been elected the third Primado of IARCA. The Rt. Rev. Julio Murray, Bishop of Panamá, was elected Vice-president of the House of Bishops, and the Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Bishop of Costa Rica, continues as Executive Secretary of the province.
10:45 am The House of Deputies votes on ratification of the election of Bishop Guerra: 20 for; 1 against; 1 abstention.
10:55 am The Bishops of IARCA enter the hall. Primado Guerra is welcomed with the singing of the Doxology.
10:57 am Primado Guerra addresses the House of Deputies.
11:07 am Bishop Barahona inducts and prays for the new Standing Commission of IARCA.
11:09 am Votes are taken on various resolutions of the Synod. Business is finished up.
11:59 am Bishop Murray presents the members of the House of Bishops with Sombreros Típicos, or Panamanian hats.
12:05 pm Members of various committees are thanked for their work, as are those who performed other tasks on behalf of the Synod.
12:20 pm Revdo. José Moreno, chaplain of the Synod, gives the closing prayer, and Primado Guerra gives the benediction.
12:23 pm An announcement is made that the bus for the matanza in La Chorrera will be leaving in ten minutes.
12:55 pm I finally get the heck outta there.

Photos, ya'll!
El Ciudad de Saber, formerly Fort Clayton


Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal



Before the meeting



Las Banderas
Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Nicaragua

Panamá

The new President of the House of Deputies of IARCA, the Very Rev. George Porter

Bishop Downs of Nicaragua announces the election of Bishop Armando Guerra as Primado de IARCA

Bishop Guerra and Bishop Barahona arrive

Singing the Doxology: A la Divina Trinidad. . .

Listening to the new Primado



The House of Deputies


Bishop Barahona prays for the new Standing Commission


¡Panamá Hats!