David Andres Alvarez-Velazquez

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The Right Reverend David Andres Alvarez-Velazquez (17 August 1941-) is the second native Puerto Rican to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico of the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA), succeeding the Right Reverend Francisco Reus Froylan.

Alvarez-Velazquez was made Bishop Reus Froylan's Bishop Coadjutor of Puerto Rico on 20 August 1987 and Bishop of Puerto Rico on 3 December 1989.

During his years of service, he has strengthened the Episcopal Church's role within the island's health services provider sector, expanding the church's hospital holdings from one hospital (St. Luke's in Ponce) to three (adding a larger St. Luke's II in Ponce, and Cristo Redentor Hospital in Guayama). Under his leadership, the Church ceased to be a separate national church within the world Anglican community and rejoined the Episcopal Church of the United States. Under his leadership, the Episcopal Church has improved its communications efforts, including a weekly, islandwide, Sunday morning radio program and an improved full-color monthly magazine. He has served as acting Bishop in Cuba and is increasingly serving as a regional leader in the Anglican community and contributing to the U.S. church's efforts among Hispanic Americans.

In recent years, Episcopalians have had a higher public profile in Puerto Rico. During former Gov. Sila Calderon's term in office, Episcopalians held important government positions in Puerto Rico's three branches of government, including Secretary of State Ferdinand Mercado, Senate Minority Leader Kenneth McClintock, and Courts Administrator Mercedes Bauermeister. During Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila's current term, McClintock, now the Senate President, is the highest Episcopalian in public office.

Several years ago, Bishop Alvarez unsuccessfully attempted to begin an orderly succession with the election of an Auxiliary Bishop, but the Diocesan Assembly did not support such efforts at the time.