Bishop John Ellison, the former Bishop of Paraguay who is now an assistant bishop in the Winchester diocese, told The Times: “I have known Bishop Cavalcanti for over 30 years, from when he was involved in student ministry in the South American scene. He was held in high regard as a Christian leader across South America. He was regarded as a key person by political leaders across the continent.”
Bishop Henry Scriven, the South American mission director for the Church Mission Society, said: “It is with great shock and sadness that we heard the news this morning of the death last night of Bishop and Mrs Cavalcanti. Bishop Robinson was a fearless defender of the faith and had a heart for the poor and the disadvantaged. His wife Miriam was a great support at all times and they were known for their hospitality. The Diocese experienced significant growth in Bishop Robinson’s episcopate.”
Read it all (requires subscription).
There is also a warm personal tribute from Bishop John Ellison, retired Bishop of Paraguay here
[blockquote]As the news of their tragic death last Sunday evening makes its impact upon us, those of us who knew them personally can only join with Recife Diocese in mourning their loss. A faithful Christian leader has been taken from us. It is hard to imagine the South American church scene without Robinson.
I, amongst many others, knew him in the early days of his commitment to evangelical student ministry both in Brasil and beyond. Over the years we were encouraged by his significant contribution to political and social reform in his native Brasil. He gave us insights in to how as Christians we could face the huge problems of poverty and injustice that surrounded us. He made us think and gave us hope that change would come. As his influence in the Episcopal Church of Brasil grew, he spoke out and took action that inspired many of us to stand firm for the Gospel of God and be obedient to the clear teaching of Scripture. His influence spread way beyond the Anglican scene. When he visited us in Paraguay, Mennonites, Baptists and Anglicans joined together in welcoming him. Such was the stature of this influential Latin American leader that he was able to meet personally with the Paraguayan President.
As Anglican Bishop in Brasil’s fastest growing diocese, he faced with characteristic honesty and integrity the dangers the Church would face if it continued to drift away from Scripture. His courageous ministry was an example to us all. We thank God for Robinson and Mirian Cavalcanti who ran with endurance the race that was set before them.[/blockquote]
and there is a Statement on the CMS website from Bishop Henry Scriven here
[blockquote]Statement from Bishop Henry Scriven, CMS director for Latin America.
It is with great shock and sadness that we heard the news this morning of the death last night of Bishop and Mrs Cavalcanti.
CMS (and SAMS before it) have had Latin partners and mission partners in the Diocese of Recife for many years serving in theological education, parish ministry, social outreach and pioneer evangelism.
Bishop Robinson was a fearless defender of the faith and had a heart for the poor and the disadvantaged.
His wife Miriam was a great support at all times and they were known for their hospitality.
The Diocese experienced significant growth in Bishop Robinson’s episcopate and recently elected two Suffragan Bishops who have yet to be consecrated.
CMS assures all our friends and partners in the Diocese of our prayers in their time of grief and wisdom as they seek God’s path for the future.
CMS Links with Recife Diocese
CMS has a number of mission partners serving in the Diocese of Recife. All expressed their shock at the news.
Andy and Rose Roberts work with My Father’s House home for boys in Olinda. Marcus and Tamara Throup work in Joao Pessoa where Marcus serves at the cathedral and in theological education. Efraim and Ruth Vilella are based in Recife, where Ruth works in a church-run social project offering support to pregnant women in one of the city’s favelas, or slums.
Latin partners Simea and Ian Meldrum run Living Waters church in Olinda (Ian founded My Father’s House). Latin partners Josias and Danielle de Souza are involved in youth ministry in Recife, while associate mission partner Di Tamaki (married to Tomio) is a catechist serving the Anglican Church in Uruguay, just across the border from Livramento where they live, and associate mission partner Ali Young, who works with a Vineyard church street ministry in Recife.[/blockquote]
Other messages from:
Archbishop Bob Duncan of ACNA
We await a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury
The following message has been reported as sent from the Archbishop of Canterbury by by George Conger in Anglican Ink
[blockquote]In a note to the diocese, he stated he had “just received the terrible news about the murder of Bishop and Mrs. Cavalcanti. I can hardly imagine the shock and grief this will have caused to his co-workers and his flock in Recife. Please be sure of our prayers here for all of you. I trust that God’s hand will be over you as you come to terms with what seems such a meaningless tragedy, in the light of our shared resurrection hope in Jesus Christ.”[/blockquote]
There are funeral details:
[blockquote]The Diocese of Recife reports that the memorial service for Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti and his wife Miriam has been scheduled for 29 February 2012 at Emmanuel Anglican Church in Olinda in Pernambuco state. The internment will follow immediately afterwards at the House of Peace Cemetery in Paulista.[/blockquote]
Prayers for the family, diocese and friends of the Cavalcantis.