On March 31, 2008, Bishop Marc and Sheila Andrus arrived in Curitiba, Brazil, as guests of the Anglican Diocese of Curitiba – companion to the Diocese of California – and their bishop the Rt. Rev. Naudal Alves Gomes. It was a brief visit, a portion of which Bishop Marc spent at the meeting of the House of Bishops of the Province of Brazil, but the impressions made by the people and sites of Curitiba on the Andruses were deep and lasting.

At California’s annual convention in October of 2007, the diocese overwhelmingly approved a resolution to enter into a companion relationship with the Diocese of Curitiba. The two dioceses will enter a mission partnership, and Andrus has recommended that this partnership be viewed through the lens of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Both Curitiba and California are forming diocesan committees to coordinate and deepen the relationship and to begin to tell their stories, one to the other, within the framework of the MDGs.

For instance, Andrus said that churches south of Market Street in San Francisco “might want to consider the mission demands of a higher infant mortality rate in the Bayview neighborhood and enter into dialogue around that.” Reducing child mortality is the fourth MDG.
The idea is that both dioceses can learn from one another, sharing their own mission creativity with each other. In so doing, the two dioceses will grow deeper in understanding and relationship.

“The Diocese of Curitiba is an exciting partner for the Diocese of California,” said Andrus. “Californians are going to find Anglican friends who are both deeply like them and who will help us see new ways of being Anglican.”

The Diocese of Curitiba is a relatively young diocese. It was created by the approval of the Brazilian General Synod on May 31, 2003. It is made up of the Brazilian state of Paraná in the southern part of the country. Curitiba is the capital city of Paraná and is known for being one of the best planned and most ecologically sound cities in the world. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Paraná’s population is just under 10.5 million. The Diocese of Curitiba counts 1,500 members in six parishes, four missions, and six preaching points.

Curitiba is the largest city in the southern region of Brazil. The name “Curitiba” comes from two Tupi words that mean “many pines” because the region is filled with Brazilian Pines. The city sits on top of a plateau 3,050 feet above sea level and its climate is considered to be similar to that of San Francisco.

Read this recent Episcopal Life Online story about a statement from the Brazilian House of Bishops. 

Approval of a Companion Relationship Between the Dioceses of California and Curitiba, Brazil

Resolved, that the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California endorses the formation of a Companion Relationship between this diocese and the Diocese of Curitiba, beginning upon approval of this resolution and subsequent ratification by Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, and continuing until the 2012 Convention of the Diocese of California or until terminated by mutual consent; and

Resolved, that the Diocesan Council, with the advice and consent of the Bishop of the Diocese of California, be empowered to set up a representative Companion Relationship Commission to implement this relationship, including the recruitment of persons and congregations in the diocese to participate in this relationship.