The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Director for Theology and Implementation at the Anglican Communion Office, has visited the Anglican Church in South America (between 8 to 25 July 2025). The aim of the trip is to deepen relationships across the region and contribute to the Communion’s global work in theological education and discipleship.

Argentina prepares for 200th anniversary

The journey began in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Canon Stephen was hosted by the Most Revd Brian Williams, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church of South America and Bishop of Argentina. From 9 to 11 July, Canon Stephen led a clergy retreat for 15 clergy under the theme “Our pilgrimage as pastors – giving thanks and recapturing the vision.”

The retreat formed part of the diocese’s preparations for its bicentenary in September. Founded on 25 September 1825, the Diocese of Argentina is the oldest non-Roman Catholic Church in South America.

Reflecting on this legacy, Archbishop Williams said:

“With grateful hearts for two centuries of God’s faithfulness, we step into the future with hope, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Canon Stephen also preached at St Mark’s Parish Church, Hurlingham, on Sunday 13 July, offering encouragement and reflection to the local congregation.

Canon Stephen Spencer (far right) at the Diocese of Northern Argentina Itinerant Seminary, Centro e Formatio Anglicana, at St Lucas Anglican Church, with the Revd Daniel Lescano, Vicar General (far left) and the Right Revd Crisanto Rojas, Auxilliary Bishop (centre-right).

Visiting indigenous communities in Northern Argentina

From 15 to 18 July, Canon Stephen travelled to northern Argentina to visit indigenous Wichi and Toba communities in the Diocese of Northern Argentina, the largest Anglican diocese in Latin America. With over 6,000 members—most from indigenous communities near the borders with Bolivia and Paraguay—the diocese traces its roots back to 1911.

Under the leadership of the Revd Daniel Lescano, Vicar General of the diocese, the Church has undertaken a review of the skills and attributes needed by pastors working in these rural and culturally distinct communities. This process has shaped a revitalised programme of contextual theological education, now the diocese’s top priority, alongside re-evangelisation and empowerment of local communities.

Canon Spencer visited an itinerant seminary has been established, which travels across the diocese and offers two-week sessions of Bible study, practical training, and community life for both lay and ordained leaders. Teaching at the seminary is carefully shaped to be both collaborative and suit the cultural context.

Two recently trained deacons spoke about how the seminary had transformed not only their understanding of ministry, but their daily lives. They described how they had learnt to trust God more deeply, support one another, and serve more faithfully in their homes and congregations. One remarked that “The people I shared with were very thankful and wanted more. I was surprised at how happy the people were.”

The Right Revd Humberto Maiztegui, Bishop of Meridional in Brazil, leads the worship at the CTEAC workshop.

Workshop on decolonial theological education in Brazil

Canon Stephen is also participating in a regional workshop on “Decolonial Theological Education for Discipleship”, held in Brasilia, Brazil, from 21 to 25 July. The workshop was organised by the Commission for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion (CTEAC) and hosted by the Diocese of Brasilia.

Taking place at the Jesuit Retreat Centre, the workshop brought together 35 participants from across the Americas and Caribbean. This included a keynote speaker Professor Kwok Pui Lan, a well-known theologian currently working on Anglican postcolonial theology.

The workshop was designed to facilitate the development of contextually appropriate discipleship resources for both ordained and lay formation. Participants were invited to collaborate in shaping theological education materials aligned with Vision 36—the Anglican Communion’s shared vision for a Decade of Discipleship and Church Planting (2026–2036).

Reflecting on his visit to South America, Canon Stephen said:

“It has been a privilege to be with Anglicans and Episcopalians in Argentina and Brazil. The Church is working faithfully and lovingly in many communities, both in the big cities and in the remote rural areas, and growth is taking place. The workshop for theological educators in Brasilia is showing how the church is preparing the next generation of leaders to play their part in the mission of Christ. God be praised.”