September 20, 2005

The Rt. Rev. Arthur B. Williams, Jr., Acting Director of Ethnic Congregational Development, has announced the appointment of the Rev. Anthony Guillen as the Latino/Hispanic Missioner on the national church staff.

Guillen will begin his work at the Episcopal Church Center on November 15.

Guillen was the rector of All Saints Church in Oxnard, California, a bilingual/bicultural parish in the Diocese of Los Angeles, for the last twelve years. Before coming to All Saints he served on the staff of St. Clement's by-the-sea in San Clemente and as a missionary in the Diocese of Western Mexico where he established two missions and worked as diocesan youth coordinator. He is finishing a six year term on the Executive Council.

Guillen is a graduate of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest and the University of Phoenix. He was a student at the Seminario San Andres in Guadalajara and studied at the National Institute for Lay Training.

In the Diocese of Los Angeles he was a member of the Standing Committee, the Program Group on Hispanic ministries and the Commission on Ministry which he chaired. He is the diocesan representative on the Hispanic Network of Province VIII. He served as a deputy to the General Convention in 2000 and 2003 where he was an organizer of the Celebration of Diversity which brought together deputies of color for the first time. He co-chaired the Book of Occasional Services Committee 2000-2003 and since 2004 has been a member of the Mexico Covenant Committee. He created Leccionario Dominical Spanish lectionary sheets for church-wide use.

"Anthony is totally dedicated to multi-cultural ministry. His talents and abilities allow him to continually bridge all gaps of diversity. Unquestionably, he will be an asset to the national church," said the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles.

The Rev. Daniel Caballero, whom Guillen is replacing following his retirement, said, "I have worked with Anthony over the years and have admired him as a priest and leader."

Episcopal News Service