Bishop of Amazonia and Primate of Brazil appointed as Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN)

Posted on: June 4, 2026 2:12 PM by The Anglican Communion

[Ken Gray notes: This is the global network I have served one way or another since 2005. The appointment of Archbishop Marinez marks an important new chapter in the history and influence of this timely and important network.]

[Anglican Communion] The purpose of ACEN is to connect Anglicans working for creation care, climate justice and environmental action across the Communion, encouraging dialogue and action in support of the Fifth Mark of Mission: To ‘strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. The Network convenes members from around the Communion to share stories of hope and discuss ways that Anglicans can care for the gift God gave us to tend and safeguard: the Earth.

Later in June, Archbishop Marinez will attend the 19th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) as both an ACC Member and as Chair of ACEN. The ACEN are due to bring a joint resolution with the Anglican Communion Peace and Justice Network on matters of environmental justice and reconciliation work.  

About Archbishop Marinez

Well-known for her advocacy for the natural world, in November 2025, Archbishop Marinez hosted many faith and indigenous groups for a ‘Tapiri’ (gathering) during ‘the People’s COP’ alongside COP30 in Belém. Throughout this time, the diocese hosted a prayer vigil and joined with others for a people’s march and boat parade in support of restoring and protecting the rainforests and all the lungs of the earth.

She has also been an active supporter for the global Anglican campaign to restore and protect the vital ecosystems of ice, oceans and forests as ‘lungs of the earth’.

Archbishop Marinez reflected on her appointment to this role, saying, ‘I feel deeply honoured and happy to assume the role of Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN), a mission I accept as an expression of my faith and my commitment to socio-environmental justice, especially in the defence of the indigenous peoples and traditional communities of the Amazon.

‘As Primate of the IEAB and Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Amazon—a region so crucial to the planet’s balance—I understand that our faith calls us to be a prophetic and active voice in defence of Creation. Churches cannot be mere observers of the climate crisis; we must be bridges of dialogue and agents of change who denounce injustices and protect the rights of vulnerable peoples and communities, integrating socio-environmental justice into our discipleship and our mission.

‘I believe that ACEN, by integrating theology, mission and care for creation, is essential in mobilising the entire Anglican Communion to carry out concrete actions, such as awareness campaigns, reforestation projects, the promotion of sustainable practices, and pastoral support for affected communities, and has enormous potential to act as a bridge between governments, civil society and local communities.

‘ACEN’s work inspires our dioceses and local communities, in our diverse contexts, to turn faith into action, promoting resilience, the restoration of biodiversity and environmental justice, making care for our Common Home a daily reality, rooted in hope and love. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be part of ACEN, and my hope is that together we will continue to be effective agents of change in the protection of God’s Creation.’

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, shared, ‘I am delighted to see Archbishop Marinez assume the role of Chair of the Anglican Communion Environment Network. This is a crucial network for our time. Environmental breakdown most affects those with the least materially. Archbishop Marinez has shown over many years, as Bishop of the Amazon and Primate of IEAB, that this is an issue of discipleship – demonstrating ‘our conversion to the way of Jesus’ through care and justice.

‘I know she will inspire the Network in new ways and deepen a Communion-wide priority of listening to indigenous Anglican wisdom as we restore and protect the ‘lungs of the earth’. I take this opportunity also to thank the outgoing Chair, Bishop Julio Murray, for his service, international leadership and passionate commitment to environmental restoration.’

For other details and links go here.

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