Migration of faith

I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church.

With those words, Luis Antonio Rabago-Nunez declared not only his fidelity to his faith but took upon himself the obligations that come with being ordained a priest. In ceremonies held four months ago at St. Mark's Cathedral, the Rev. Rabago-Nunez became the newest Latino priest to be ordained in Utah's Episcopal Diocese.

He is one of a growing number of immigrants who have come to the United States from Latin America in recent years to find not only economic freedom but a smorgasbord of faiths from which to choose. His ordination came on the heels of an announcement last summer that the Diocese of Venezuela would be admitted into the Episcopal Church.

For most of the past century, Latino immigrants to this country were overwhelmingly Catholic, both culturally and religiously. But as the faithful from their native lands continue to embrace Protestant Christianity in growing numbers, so do many of those who have come to Utah.

The Rev. Rabago-Nunez, who completed seminary in 2002 and served as a deacon in the first Episcopal church in Mexico City, said he has long been impressed with the openness of the local Episcopal Church to Latinos, with Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish taking the lead. "The bishop said one time to a Latino congregation that 'Wherever you come from or wherever you are, you are welcome with us.' This is for me a priority because I am now a priest."

He said he wants to spread the word that Latinos can truly be involved in their faith, rather than simply depending on the priest to say Mass on Sunday.

Many have speculated that part of the reason many Hispanics are choosing the Episcopal Church is an openness to those whose lifestyles may not be in strict compliance with Catholic teaching. Some people with children born out of wedlock or unmarried couples who are living together have bristled at restrictions they feel keep them outside some of the ritual practices of Catholicism.

The Rev. Dan Webster, spokesman for the diocese, said it was only a decade ago that Jack Potter — who was serving as dean of St. Mark's Cathedral — initiated the church's now-burgeoning Hispanic ministry by forming one Spanish-speaking congregation, which was adequate for the demand at the time.