Representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic's development group described their efforts to help the diocese develop financial resources for its mission and ministry. Diocese of Puerto Rico Bishop David Alvarez said he also told the synod that development aimed at self-sufficiency is crucial.

"Develop what you have as much as you can," Alvarez said, describing his message to the synod. "That will eventually help you develop income for ministry and self-sufficiency."

"It's a long-range thing," Alvarez added, explaining that changes in attitudes about a diocese's resources have to be part of any development plan.

Province IX is made up of the dioceses of Colombia, Central Ecuador, Litoral Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. The meeting took place in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.

During the meeting, synod members elected officers, including Colombia Bishop Francisco Duque-Gomez as provincial president. The Rev. Cristobal Leon of the Diocese of Ecuador Littoral was elected to succeed Dominican Republic Bishop Julio Holguin as the province's clergy representative on the Episcopal Church's Executive Council.

House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson and General Convention Secretary Gregory Straub spent two hours at the synod explaining how General Convention conducts its business. "They asked excellent questions," Anderson said of synod participants. "They were very interested in the fact that everyone can testify during committee hearings at convention."

Participants also heard a presentation on how the Church Pension Group's proposals to create a denominational health plan and require a mandatory lay-employee pension system would affect the province. Both proposals are due to come to General Convention this summer.

Alvarez told ENS that CPG's plans will be "a benefit to all" in Province IX. He also welcomed what he called CPG's renewed help to the province’s dioceses. Many if not most of the clergy in the province do not fully participate in the pension group's benefit plans and efforts are underway to address the reasons behind that lack of participation.

The synod also approved a revision of its bylaws (known as the provincial ordinances) which will bring them "more in line" with the church's canons, Alvarez said.

This was the first time that the synod met in the same year as General Convention and the revised bylaws recommend continuing the practice, which is common in most of the church's other eight provinces. Anderson acknowledged that requiring a synod gathering in the same year as General Convention can put financial strains on dioceses in terms of paying for increased travel and lodging.