The Primate of Brazil, Archbishop Orlando Santos de Oliveira, has sought to remove and depose Bishop Cavalcanti over the protest of diocesan clergy and laity in a number of extra-canonical and highly questionable acts; in addition, Archbishop Oliveira has excommunicated 40 clergy in the Diocese of Recife.

Bishop Cavalcanti has been a bold defender of the faith once delivered and has stood firm against the tide of secular revisionism threatening the Anglican Communion.

The Primate of Brazil is clearly meting out punishment in the face of theological disagreement and has essentially established a rival diocese and bishop even as Bishop Cavalcanti's deposition is under synodical appeal in the Province. It is also our understanding that under Brazilian law, the Diocese of Recife with Robinson Cavalcanti as bishop is the lawfully incorporated Diocese of Recife and that no other entity may be legally recognized. Archbishop Oliveira seems to be flouting both ecclesiastical and civil due process.

Bishop Cavalcanti and a significant number of Anglican Communion leaders have appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his direct intervention and have also requested that the Panel of Reference immediately address the situation in Recife. To date, neither the Archbishop of Canterbury nor the Panel of Reference has acted, and therefore this matter remains unresolved.

We find it highly inappropriate for the Anglican Communion Office to bow to pressure from the Province of Brazil to change the website listing while the leadership of the Diocese of Recife is in serious ecclesiastical dispute. For the Anglican Communion Office to recognize Archbishop Oliveira's appointment of another bishop in Recife implies undue preference to a primate who is disregarding canonical and Communion process as well as Brazilian law. This action by the Anglican Communion Office seems tremendously disrespectful to the person and office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Is the Anglican Communion Office staff attempting to preempt the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as that of the Panel of Reference, thereby pre-determining the outcome of this situation without benefit of due process? Or, are they acting with the support of influential, higher-level individuals of authority in the Communion? Do these staff members have the authority to make unilateral decisions that recognize a rival entity with a bishop not acknowledged by the laws of Brazil in a case pending ecclesiastical adjudication?

We call upon the Panel of Reference to gather in an immediate emergency session in order to address this dispute, and we urge the Anglican Communion Office to return the website listing for the Bishop of the Diocese of Recife to the proper, legal bishop, the Rt. Rev. Robinson Cavalcanti

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/

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