Anglican Communion News Service

A weekly roundup of Anglican Communion news plus opinion, reviews, photos, profiles and other things of interest from across the Anglican/Episcopal world.

This edition includes...

• This week's Anglican Communion news
• Anglican Life - Christian renewal occurring in aboriginal communities
• Anglican Life - Welsh Bible joins collection in Rome
• Anglican Life - Shakespeare's Holy Trinity Church 'treasure' revealed
• Anglican Life - Cuba bishop's visit to Niagara diocese in Canada
• Anglican Life - USPG sends emergency grant after Ghana floods destroy homes
• Anglican Life - Landmark decision on assets
• Anglican Life - Sierra Leone's Radio Shalom prepares peace message
• Comment - One bishop's views on the women bishop's debate
• Video - Bp Jefferts Schori: "We won't all agree before the Second Coming..."
• And finally - Tanzanian Lion King wins two prizes in the UK
• The coming week's Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

ANGLICAN NEWS

• USA - New friendships forged thanks to successful youth pilgrimage
• England - Quakers welcome Anglican support for ecumenical accompaniers
• North India - Church charities rush aid to flood-damaged Assam state in India
• England - We sense at a deep level God's 'hand' is in all things
• Kenya - Kenya: Churches Security Tightened After Attacks
• Kenya - Al Shabaab Tempt Cleric's Son With Six Million
• New Zealand - Cathedral deconstruction on hold, PM says
• England - Latest on women bishops legislation from General Synod
• New Zealand - New Zealand: "Unable to adopt" covenant
• Global - Archbishop of Canterbury declares "Peace is the only option" for Sudan and South Sudan
• USA - The Rev. Gay Jennings is elected president of the House of Deputies
• USA - Committee presents 'a good budget for the church'
• USA - Bishops vote to relocate but not to sell Episcopal Church headquarters
• USA - Deputies vote to sell the church center headquarters in New York
• Sudan - Faith leaders assess South Sudan's progress on nation's anniversary
• Japan - Australian Anglicans visit Japan, hear stories of surviving the tsunami
• England - Jews, Christians and Muslims unite to protect the environment
• USA - Deputies approve ending bishop consents at General Convention
• USA - Deputies say presiding bishop may retain diocesan seat
• ANZP - T-shirts designed to motivate
• Lambeth Palace - Archbishop of Canterbury to publish new book
• Canada - Native Anglicans to gather in Pinawa
• England - Diocesan changes given final approval in York
• England - Convention's international guests find experience 'mutually enriching'
• Nigeria - Clerics Seek Overhaul Of The Nation's Educational System
• USA - Archbishop Desmond Tutu to speak at several Honolulu events in August
• Zimbabwe - Biti fires salvo at Nolbert Kunonga
• England - Anglican clergy banned from racist parties
• ANZP - Anglican Church could sell buildings

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ANGLICAN LIFE

Christian renewal occurring in aboriginal communities

By Mary Brown in Saskatchewan Anglican, the newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu'Appelle

Stanley Mission (SKWN) - The Prayer Book Society (PBS) of Canada held its Annual General Meeting at Holy Trinity Church on the mainland in Stanley Mission in early May.

In his address to the meeting, Bishop Michael Hawkins spoke of Mamuwe Isi Miywachimowin, "Together in the Gospel". He spoke of the spiritual movement of renewed Christian faith, confidence and leadership among First Nations in the North of Canada. Part of this movement includes a call for greater self-determination for First Nations within the Anglican Church.

In the Diocese of Saskatchewan, it has been extremely moving to see how God has moved us from talking about self-determination to Mamuwe Isi Miywachimowin; from language that sounds political to language that is decidedly spiritual; from language that sounds like separation to language that speaks of our being together; and finally from English to Cree.

He went on to say that in Canada, the church ran Government Schools whose explicit purpose was assimilation, and in which there were instances of horrific sexual and physical abuse, as well as instances of real compassionate and missionary work and positive experience and relationships.

Read the rest here http://quappelle.anglican.ca/images/stories/PDF/SaskAng/saskangjune-2012.pdf  

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Welsh Bible joins collection in Rome

July 12, 2012

From the Church in Wales

A Welsh Bible, donated by the Archbishop of Wales, was presented to a Christian community in Rome today.

The British Ambassador to the Holy See, Nigel Baker, presented it to the Sant’Egidio community in Rome.

This event followed the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Sant’Egidio Community in March 2012, when he visited the Community’s Chapel. The Chapel’s “Altar of the Bibles” is home to copies of the Bible from all around the world, in many languages, demonstrating the extraordinary diversity of language and cultures of the Bible messages. But with no Bible in Welsh present in the collection, an appeal for a copy was made through the Ambassador’s blog, and one was donated to Sant’Egidio by the Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Llandaff, Dr Barry Morgan.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Baker said:
“It is an honour to be able to donate Y Beibl Cymraeg Newydd to Sant’Egidio’s Altare delle Bibbie, today in this great city known to the Welsh as Rhufain, in recognition of the importance of the Welsh language and culture, and in homage to the extraordinary work of Sant’ Egidio across the world”.

The copy of the Bible is the 1988 translation, Y Beibl Cymraeg Newydd, the New Welsh Bible. It is the successor of the first translation of the Bible into Welsh, published in 1588 and revised in 1620.

For photos and more information please visit http://ukinholysee.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=786239182  and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukinholysee/sets/72157630525737334/

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Shakespeare's Holy Trinity Church 'treasure' revealed

From The Stratford Observer (Fun fact: Your ACNS editor used to work for the Observer's rival newspaper years ago!)

One of Holy Trinity's "greatest treasures" is revealed after being hidden for over a century.

An image of Jesus is revealed in a new publication which tells the definitive story of the stained glass in Shakespeare’s church.

The image - part of a window depicting ‘The Mocking of Christ’ painted before 1855, shows Jesus in agony, his eyes with tears on his face - features in The Stained Glass of Holy Trinity Church, written by historian and church assistant Madeleine Hammond, with photographs by assistant verger and professional photographer John Cheal.

The window in the Becket Chapel, comprising two upper and two lower sections, was blocked when the church organ was installed in 1898.

Mr Cheal managed to photograph sections of both lower sections – the Last Supper and the Mocking of Christ - by crawling into the lower organ loft when it was opened for routine cleaning in 2011, having asked engineers to unscrew a steel panel so he could poke the camera into the space behind.

“I wasn’t really sure what I was taking,” said John. “When we examined the pictures later, it was a real shock to see something so beautiful yet so forceful emerge, and to know we were the first people to set eyes on it in over a century.”

Vicar Martin Gorick was in doubt of the window's importance.

He said: “This is one of Holy Trinity’s greatest treasures – now revealed as never before”.

According to Peter Cormack, Visiting Fellow at London's Victoria & Albert Museum, the imagery of the Mocking of Christ is relatively rare in Anglican churches. It shows Jesus being humiliated before his crucifixion, given a reed ‘sceptre’ and a crown of thorns.

Ms Hammond said: “Each and every window is precious, whether it is made from shards of medieval glass, or an early 20th century masterpiece, because each one is a part of Holy Trinity’s history - but this image is certainly something very special.”

The booklet, available from the church bookshop, tells the story of the windows from medieval times, through the Reformation, Civil War and centuries of plain glass, to the replacement of stained glass in the 19th century.

The Friends of Shakespeare's Church are currently looking for help to raise in excess of 2.5 million for repair and renovation of the church building; specifically the stained glass windows. For further details visit www.shakespeareschurch.org or call 01789 290128.

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Cuba’s Bishop enjoyed busy and varied visit

By Stuart Pike, Diocese of Niagara

The Diocese of Niagara was honored to welcome Bishop Griselda Delgado Del Carpio of Cuba and her husband, Gerardo to our Diocese from Friday, April 20 to Tuesday, April 24, 2012. She attended the House of Bishops Conference in Niagara [Canada]

Falls immediately preceding her visit with us. This was a very good opportunity for us to begin to strengthen our ongoing Companion Diocese relationship with the Diocese of Cuba. Bishop Griselda’s itinerary in our diocese was intense, and her husband Gerardo accompanied her through it all.

I was privileged to act as their driver and interpreter during part of her itinerary, and Archdeacon Michael Thompson, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, carried out the same
function for the rest of their visit.

Read more here http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/newspaper/papers/2012/june.pdf  

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Catholic church loses abuse liability appeal

By Owen Bowcott, legal affairs correspondent, The Guardian

The court of appeal has ruled that the Roman Catholic diocese of Portsmouth is liable to pay compensation for alleged abuse on a young girl. Photograph: Kzenon/Alamy

A Roman Catholic diocese is liable to pay compensation for alleged beatings inflicted by a nun and sexual abuse perpetrated by a priest on a young girl, the court of appeal has ruled.

The decision, by a majority of two judges to one, will have far-reaching implications for the responsibilities of all employers, significantly widening the scope of their "vicarious liability" for the actions of employees.

The claim was brought by a 48-year-old woman known as JGE, who cannot be named for legal reasons. She said that as a child she was beaten by a nun at a convent-run care home and later raped and sexually assaulted by a priest.

Read more here

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USPG sends emergency grant after Ghana floods destroy homes

From the USPG website

USPG has an emergency grant to the church in Ghana after flash floods caused havoc in the area, claiming lives and leaving more than 10,000 people homeless.

The floods, in the Diocese of Tamale at the end of June, left four dead, destroyed 12 schools and a thousand homes, washed away farmland, and pulled down telephone cables.

The Rt Revd Jacob Ayeebo, Bishop of Tamale, told USPG: ‘A terrible rainstorm hit parts of northern Ghana, particularly Tamale and caused serious damage to properties and lives. Needless to say this rainstorm is going to worsen a situation where one third of the population is living below the poverty line. A number of farmlands have been washed away by. Generally, the rainstorm has affected socio-economic and educational activities in the area.’

When the floods hit, people were left stranded on roofs while others fled for higher ground.

USPG’s emergency grant was made from our Rapid Response Fund and is being used to buy foods, maize, millet, clothing, blankets and sleeping mats, as well as setting up temporary accommodations for the homeless.

Bishop Jacob said: ‘Emergency aid will be directed to the most vulnerable and needy, especially women, children, orphans and widows.’

The flooding is a further disaster for Tamale where flooding last October displaced 12,000 people, with 1,500 houses ruined.

Please remember Ghana and keep its people in your prayers at this testing time.

Please make a donation to our Rapid Response Fund so we can support the emergency relief work of churches at times of natural disaster.

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Landmark decision on assets

Taonga News

The Anglican Church in these islands has made a historic commitment to sharing its resources.

Last evening, General Synod adopted a resolution which will see Tikanga Maori exercise tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty) over half of the funds in the church’s main educational body, the St John’s College Trust.

At present, that trust has assets of $315 million.

Synod unanimously passed a motion brought by Professor Whatarangi Winiata which asked it to set up a six-person working party to advise how this should be done.

This three-tikanga working party will report back to the next meeting of the General Synod – in 2014 at Paihia, near Waitangi, exactly 200 years after Samuel Marsden and Ruatara, in effect, planted the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In proposing his motion Professor Winiata explained that for Tikanga Maori, the fundamental issue at stake was not “a grab for money” – but tino rangatiratanga.

“Tino rangatiratanga did not get into the constitution in 1992,” he said. “It was understood at that time that we would not deal with all the issues at the time, but as they arose.

“Tikanga Maori have decided it’s time to deal with tino rangatiratanga. This is about the importance of recognizing kaupapa tuku iho.” (key inherited values).

He said the motion was not a claim for more money, either. But it was a claim to full sharing, and a claim to exercise tino rangatiratanga over the setting of investment policy for 50 percent of the trust’s assets.

Read more here

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Sierra Leone's Radio Shalom prepares peace message

By Fredrick Nzwili, ENInews

In Sierra Leone, a West African country still recovering from civil war, a church-operated radio station is about to hit the airwaves with messages of peace and reconciliation.

Radio Shalom, project of the Council of Churches of Sierra Leone (CCSL) and the Toronto-based World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), will broadcast from Freetown, the  capital city. It hopes to reach nearly two million people in the area.

"We hope to dedicate a significant part of the programming to youth and messages of peace, reconciliation, non-violence and employment," said Ebun James-Dekam, the church council's general secretary.

The station is the "voice" of the 19 historical churches, according to Dekam, and will be non-partisan, objective and educational so that the existing trust and respect of the Christian denominations is maintained.

"The voice of the church is still respected and listened to," said Dekam, who was interviewed by ENInews through email.

Radios provide space for ordinary people to voice their concerns and to be heard by decision makers, according to communication experts, but in Sierra Leone, many citizens who need information to rebuild lives are poorly reached by the technology. Stations there lack proper infrastructure after the destruction of the 1991-2002 civil war in which nearly 50,000 people were killed and thousands displaced.

"Although the civil war has been over for 10 years now, many of the reasons [for the war] continue to exist," said Dekam.

"While the economy is projected to grow at an astounding rate this year [more than 30 percent] due to growth in the mining sector, there are questions being raised as to who is going to benefit. Will this growth be felt at the village level? Will the quality of life of the general public improve?" she said.

"There is general concern  about the rising cost of living and its impact on the majority of the population--especially the urban and rural poor and the vulnerable sectors of the population. There has been growth in the agricultural sector, but food security and self-sufficiency in staple [foods, mostly rice] at the national level is not yet a reality."

The civil war was fueled by the mining and export of illicit diamonds as well as economic and social factors.

Ahead of national elections in November, tensions are rising, but the church hopes to field at least 400 election observers.

During the polls, the station will broadcast information on electioneering, democracy and responsible citizens. The citizens will debate and discuss current affairs in live shows, noted Dekam.

Fundraising for station is continuing through www.globalgiving.com. In April, donations surpassed the initial target with Christians, churches, organizations and individuals across the world raising $7,000. Its new target is $12,000.

"I am overwhelmed and grateful for the solidarity and support expressed by our members and partners around the world, who worked so hard to make this 30-day challenge a resounding success," said WACC General Secretary, Rev. Karin Achtelstetter in WACC statement in April. WACC is providing the equipment, while the council will operate the station.

[Editor's note: The Anglican Communion is represented on WACC at regional and global levels]

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VIDEO

"We won't all agree before the Second Coming..."

Watch The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's closing General Convention sermon here: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/07/12/presiding-bishop-katharine-jefferts-schoris-closing-sermon/  

COMMENT

Bishop and blogger the Rt Revd Nick Baines comments on the women's bishop debate at the Church of England's General Synod

Last week I agreed to provide the Times with a statement in response to questions about the future of the Church of England in the face of its current debates (plural). The intention was to offer a wider perspective from which to view where we have got to. It was intended for publication before the ‘women bishops’ debate, but was posted on Ruth Gledhill’s blog today. As agreed, she published it in full – and I am grateful. Had I written it today, I might have done it differently – in the light of what actually happened – so I will follow the quoted statement with further observations. Here is the statement:

The church does not need to be saved – other than in a theological sense. The current debates are happening because, rather than being indifferent, Anglicans take theology and church order seriously. Contrary to some opinions, this is not an unhealthy thing to do openly.

It is clear that the Church wants to be able to appoint women bishops. It is the duty of all bishops to seek the unity of the church and it is this attempt that is proving difficult. If the circle proves itself incapable of being squared, then the church will have to make painful decisions. However, it will then do so in the light of having explored every option – which is what pastoral leadership is all about.

The Church of England is unique in being reformed and catholic, and it is this ‘stretch’ that both gives it its unique breadth and greatest challenge. In a culture of fragmentation and selfishness, it also offers the possibility of modelling how, despite the real tensions, a community of difference can hold together. After all, Jesus called his disciples and didn’t give them a veto over who else could join them: their witness was in how they followed Jesus together, and not in their forced unanimity. Nothing has changed.

In this, as in other contentious matters, we will argue our cases, make our decisions and then move on. This generation is not unique in facing difficult judgements, so we should not get current debates out of proportion: no ‘crisis’ is ultimate. As with other issues, we engage with the realities of people’s lives and society’s challenges and changes; but the role of the church is not simply to ‘go with the flow’ of the wider world, but to question and challenge and, sometimes, appear stubborn. That will not change either – in relation to political issues, economic praxis or priorities, social movement or moral norms.

Fundamentally, the Church of England is rooted in a theology of resurrection. Endings are never the end. It is Christ’s church and we are called to remember this whenever we think it all depends on us. However, if things get even tougher, we will still wake up in the morning, take a breath and get on with the business from where we then find ourselves. This is not novel, but neither is it boring.

The confident leadership the church has had thus far – and will continue to need in the future – will be rooted in a perspective such as that cited above. Such leadership needs to know when to speak and when to be silent, when to act and when to remain still… but always to pray. There is no reason why the church should not grow in confidence in the years to come, but this makes sense because of my final point…

Look at (a) any General Synod agenda and (b) what ordinary Christians are doing in and through their parish churches and institutions and it becomes clear that the issues that dominate the media do not dominate every waking moment of ordinary Anglicans. On the contrary, links with parishes and dioceses abroad, social action at local and regional level, deep commitment to children and young people in education, imaginative and creative outreach and evangelism – all these things go on every day, with the most vulnerable people in our society cared for, spoken for and supported… without being trumpeted. Only two contentious issues hit the media headlines while 99% of our service, concern and activity does not. Life will carry on.

Where we are now is this. The House of Bishops, which had been asked to be clear about the status of women in the episcopate whilst making proper provision for those opposed, had attempted to do so – and ended up pleasing no one (apparently). However, their role in amending the Measure was what the church requires of its bishops – who were trying in good faith to square a circle that no one else has managed to square thus far. The response was anticipated by some, but not by most. The response itself demanded further attention be given to the matter. Adjourning the debate was clearly the best outcome, but it still leaves the original question unanswered: how are we to satisfy two conflicting demands in a single legal clause? Simply dropping the offending amendment will not of itself resolve the issue as it is highly likely that the unamended Measure would still be defeated in the House of Laity on the grounds that inadequate protection was being offered to those opposed to women bishops. (And it is worth noting that ten or a dozen dioceses that voted for the draft legislation also passed following motions to this effect.)

We need to draw breath, look at it again, receive advice on how others might see the circle being squared, then return to it in November as a synod. But, we should be cuatious about responses such as that in the Guardian which stated that the Synod had ‘thrown out the bishops’ amendment’. It hadn’t. And returning with the same amendment is one of several options if no better way can be found to resolve the matter. It is to be hoped, of course, that a better way (or wording) might be found in the coming weeks or months.

However, behind all this it is important to remember that painful as all this is – to everyone – its outcome does not change the resurrection or the vocation of the church to live in the light of the resurrection every day. And in that light I, personally, pray we will open the way for women in the episcopate as soon as possible.

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AND FINALLY...

Tanzanian Anglican wins prizes, has work added to British Library

The son of the Provincial Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Imani Chilongani, has won a global competition for young writers. He won in two categories - the mini saga in 50 words, and poetry. His winning poem is below. A copy of the book that will feature his work is to be added to the British Library and his school will receive £1,000 prize money.

The Lion King

Towered high above other animals
The king of the jungle
Fearless, dominant, almighty
The lion king

Its silky fur painted orange-yellow
With its smooth golden crown going all around its nightly neck
Courageous, ruthless, tremendous
The lion king

Attacks the weak and inferior when hungry
And tears into its prey's flesh as if it was never alive
Ferocious, vile, merciless
The lion king

Its indescribably roar echoing across the jungle
Causing all animals to retreat as in war
Above all, up-roaring, mean
The lion king

Imani Chilongai (14)
Canon Andrea Mwaka School, Tanzania

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ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Click here for the full ACP

Friday 13-Jul-2012
Psalm: 35 1 Sam 9:15-10:1
East Kerala - (South India)The Rt Revd Dr Kayalakkakathu George Daniel

Saturday 14-Jul-2012
Psalm: 36 1 Sam 14:1-15
East Ruwenzori - (Uganda)The Rt Revd Edward Bamucwanira

Sunday 15-Jul-2012 Pentecost 7
Psalm: 37:1-11 Mk 11:20-25
PRAY for The Episcopal Church in the PhilippinesThe Most Revd Edward Pacyaya Malecdan Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines

Monday 16-Jul-2012
Psalm: 37:12-29 Mk 11:26-33
East Tennessee - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Revd Charles von Rosenberg
Tennessee - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Revd John Bauerschmidt

Tuesday 17-Jul-2012
Psalm: 38:1-9 Mk 12:1-12
Eastern Himalayas - (North India) Vacant

Wednesday 18-Jul-2012
Psalm: 38:10-22 1 Sam 14:24-46
Eastern Michigan - (V, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Revd Steven Ousley

Thursday 19-Jul-2012
Psalm: 39 1 Sam 15:1-11
Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador - (Canada, Canada) The Rt Revd Cyrus Clement James Pitman

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Disclaimer: The Weekly Review is a summary of news, information and resources gathered from around the Anglican Communion over the past week. The views expressed in Weekly Review do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Anglican Communion Office.

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