On September 14, 2024, the first Episcopal Church building in the province of Capiz in Western Visayas was consecrated, expanding the ECP’s presence in the island of Panay and among members who, four years ago, had never heard of the Episcopal Church in their lifetimes. This worship center of Krus na Banal Episcopal Church was constructed through the assistance of St. Luke’s Medical Center. It stands on a one hectare lot along the Aklan-Capiz highway at the gateway to Roxas City purchased by the ECP in 2023.
Krus na Banal was admitted as an organized mission by the Convocation of the Visayas Missionary Diocese in March. The story of this congregation began in 2021 when a group of households approached and invited the E-CARE Foundation to partner with them as they begin the process of recovery from the covid-19 pandemic. Being in a coastal community, these households’ main livelihood was oyster farming which had to be shelved when lockdowns were imposed during the pandemic. Having lost their livelihood, they were largely dependent on government ayuda during the entire time that the pandemic was at its worst. When the lockdowns were relaxed, they gradually went back to oyster farming but with almost zero liquidity, they had difficulty re-starting the venture. As part of the partnership, E-CARE initially provided Php 90,000 to jumpstart the economic activity. Soon, the oyster farmers were back on their feet and were able to grant back the amount in 6 months. But they had an opportunity to do better than pre-pandemic and thus they accessed two more successive cycles of fund support while also expanding their group to include more households.
While involved in socio-economic recovery, the community also intensified their spiritual development and organized themselves into a worshipping congregation. There are now 35 members of the congregation. Meanwhile, as many of them did not have lands on which to build their homes, they asked the Church to provide them with a 1,000 square meter lot, now allotted to 10 families which they shall amortize at cost over a five-year period. Their amortization payments are planned to be passed on to others for similar or related purposes so that they can also enjoy the same blessings.
Just like the hundreds of communities currently in partnership with our E-CARE Foundation, the work with Lonoy Oyster Association was made possible because of the Banquet Fund that people of goodwill have contributed to, as a way of sharing their own blessings with others.
Krus na Banal Episcopal Church and the E-CARE Foundation have initiated livelihood partnership with 3 other communities in Capiz, including one in Roxas City.
The Episcopal Church in the Philippines 