Some sources seem to indicate that Mendez assumed leadership of the ICAB upon Costa's death in 1961. Bishop Antidio Jose Vargas initially stepped in as general supervisor, followed by Pedro dos Santos Silva as first president of the Episcopal Council, followed by the Italian-born Luigi Mascolo during the 1970's. By 1982 Castillo Mendez was elected president of the Episcopal Council, and was designated as patriarch of the ICAB in 1988 and as patriarch of (ICAN), the international communion of similar churches in 1990.