Friday, April 13, despite its traditional unlucky connotations, was an auspicious day for the Anglican Church of Mexico, with the consecration of Ricardo Joel Gómez Osnaya as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Western Mexico, a very large diocese that includes Tijuana in the north and Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Ajijic in its southern extremity.
The well-liked Gómez, usually called Padre Ricardo, was selected in November as bishop on the first round of voting by a large majority. He replaces the bishop of many years standing, Lino Rodriguez, who is retiring.
The noon consecration was well attended, with dozens of high ranking clergy present, including Francisco Manuel Moreno, Primate of Mexico, and Katharine Jefferts Schori, former Primate of the Episcopal Church of the United States.
The choir of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Ajijic, directed by Timothy Ruff Welch, sang three anthems during the Mass. A meal was then served.