ENS: Brazil talks renew mutual mission
Church leaders host Presiding Bishop for five-day visit
By Bob Williams
July 11, 2007

[ENS, Rio de Janeiro] Health and strength for the whole body of Christ were a guiding focus throughout July 6-10 meetings in Brazil where Anglican leaders nationwide welcomed Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church.

Two wooden chalices -- both carved to commemorate the visit and unveiled on its opening day -- continued a central metaphor as the visit concluded with an Evening Prayer liturgy in Rio de Janeiro's historic Christ Church.

"These vessels, like the communion between our two churches, bear and strengthen the whole body of Christ," Brazil's Primate Mauricio Andrade said, speaking in Portuguese and underscoring the Church's call to spiritual transformation.

Expressing her thanks for the Brazilian Church's vitality and hospitality, Jefferts Schori, speaking in Spanish, affirmed the shared mission of the Episcopal Church and the 100,000-member Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil. "Thank you for your work in Christ," she said. the rest