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            p e r s p e c t i v e s

                      by tod maffin
                 friday may 29 1998
                    the final issue


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                 f i r s t   w o r d

After nine days, more than 70,000 photocopies, and over 1,000 water bottles a day, the 35th General Synod closes this morning.  So too will our Internet coverage of the Synod.  It's been quite a priviledge to serve the church in this way, and I hope you've found value in the television and Internet coverage.

This email address will be closing down shorly.  If you'd like to reach me AFTER the synod, please use my personal email address: tmaffin@direct.ca.
If you have feedback for the information resources team at the national church office, please email Doug Tindal at dtindal@national.anglican.ca.
And following this weekend, the General Synod web site will be managed by Keith Nunn, interim web manager for the Anglican Church of Canada's web site.

On behalf of the entire news coverage team: Sam, Lorie, Joan, Doug, Lisa, Dana, and many others who helped, thanks so much for joining us.

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               q u i c k   t a k e s

WRAP-UP SUMMARY ON WEB SITE
The General Synod web site now has a final summary online of the major events of the past nine days.  It's a good at-a-glance recap if you want a quick view of what happened during these nine days in Montreal.  As well, the News Archive (see link at bottom of the main page) contains every single story we published on the web site.

SO THAT'S WHAT THE TUNE WAS FOR!
Yesterday's issue of Perspectives spoke about the TV crew pumping the music "Hot Hot Hot" through the closed-circuit television sets.  Now we know why.
 Turns out all week, the television cameras have been finding people falling asleep -- all footage captured was assembled overnight and presented to members this morning in a very funny retrospective of the "General Sauna."

PLEASE!  A HOTEL NEXT TIME!
Members this morning approved a motion to have the Council of General Synod consider shortening synod by three days and holding it in a hotel or convention centre.  Speaking to the motion, General Secretary Jim Boyles said he would support the motion because "this will give me something to do."  It costs about $500,000 to hold the General Synod, not including the $100,000 or so billed back to dioceses for the lodging and meals of their delegates.

THE BEST RESPONSE ON ANY VOTE
Members raised their hands quickly when one of the morning announcements from the General Secretary began: "Anyone who would like some money..." The notice turned out to have been about reimbursements for travel expenses.

TYPO OR POLITICAL STATEMENT?
Members were more than a little confused when one of the resolutions on the floor for debate made reference to the Uninvolved Nations.  The mention was owing from a typographical error -- it was supposed to have been the United Nations.

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                 y o u r   v o i c e

(Special collection of emails received in response to the proposed new Human Rights policy, which was approved by clergy and laity but defeated by bishops.)

"What an sad, embarrassing moment for the life of the church.  I'll be leaving the Anglican Church in search for spiritual nourishment elsewhere.
I can't stand for a church whose bishops don't permit the church to reflect the diversity in society.  The bishops should be ASHAMED of their behavior." -- Roger Kerr

"I praise God for the wise decision of our House of Bishops.I pray we might become more biblically centred listening not only to diverse voices within Canada and North America; but to our brothers and sisters overseas." -- Brian Kirby, Diocese of Edmonton

"It is very discouraging to see the leadership of clergy and laity on Human Rights not matched by that of the Bishops.  One must question how in touch the Bishops are with the society in which they serve." -- The Morrison family

"I thank God for the Bishops of the Church. My voice has been heard and I will not be disenfranchised.  I can remain an Anglican." -- Bruce Glencross

"Should I be sad or just furious?  I hope that we will be given a thorough explanation why the Bishops voted the way they did.  Was it brought down(the resolution) because of the sexual orientation clause or were there other reasons.  If it is an anti-gay vote this is a sad day for the Anglican Church of Canada. Where is God's love to be found in this.  I hope I am wrong."
-- Richard C. Gidney

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                   d a i l y    r e p o r t

by Maragaret Shawyer, Daily Report

Report from the Observing Partners

The Rev. Emmanuel Lapierre, Associate Director at the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, spoke about the centre and the continuing dialogue between the Anglican  and Roman Catholic Churches. 

Richard Parkins, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, said that although he had only been at the Synod for 2 days, he was impressed with the extent of involvement and understanding he was able to achieve. He noted the leadership shown by the youth. He spoke with appreciation about the sharing of issues with all orders participating concurrently in deliberations and thanked the Synod for its action on the resolution re the Sudan, noting that it would be received with the greatest appreciation in that country. He also commented on the Synod's emphasis on global justice issues.  As new partner, he said that it is with a deeper sense of joy that he is a part of the Anglican Communion because of his experience with General Synod. 

The Rev. Randall Chase, who has been a partner to our Council of General Synod since 1995 when Preparing the Way was passed by Synod noted that the Anglican Church took a risk to "travel light" and this will be held up to other Anglican Churches as they look for new ways of working.  He said that he has heard many  voices in the debates at Synod and witnessed the struggles. 

Many members came thinking that the time of change was over. "My sense is that you need to put your seat belts on, you are in a time of transition that is about to draw you deeper, bring you closer to the heart of Christ.
I project that you are on the verge of going deeper in mission and ministry."  

Ran shared reflection on General Synod physical structure and agenda. It's time for a  Second Generation approach to First Nation issues and  to be open in the future to add more women to the House of Bishops and recognized the significant contribution of Church House staff. 

Ran thanked the Primate and all those that he has worked with over the past 4 years. 

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                    d e c i s i o n s

AGREED to adopt the final report of the Nominating Committee regarding elections to Standing Committees.

AGREED to request the Primate to extend sympathy on behalf of the Synod to His Holiness Bartholomeo, Patriarch of Constantinople, in light of the recent attacks upon Orthodox Christians in Istanbul. (A-94)

AGREED to direct the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee to prepare collects appropriate for use with the three-fold cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary, consulting ecumenically. (A-96)

AGREED to request the Government of Canada to actively encourage the Mexican Government to a) immediately renew meaningful dialogue and peace talks with the Zapatista National Liberation Army; b) to honour previously agreed-to-accords signed between the Zapatistas and the Mexican government, and c) to find peaceful solutions to the increasing violence in the State of Chiapas, taking the specific concerns and needs of the state's indigenous population into account. (A163)

AGREED to express appreciation to Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for initiative shown in beginning a serious response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and, request an apology from the Prime Minister for the pain caused by the Residential Schools policies; to request the convening of a meeting between the First Ministers and Aboriginal leaders; to ask the Federal Government to recognize the experience of the churches in the process of healing and reconciliation; and to ask the Federal Government to consult with leaders of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Governments in formulating detailed responses to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, remembering to include representatives from women's youth, and urban Aboriginal organizations. (A185)

AGREED to support the apology of the Primate from 1993 by having Financial Management and Development Committee devote staff assistance towards the securing of adequate and continuing funding for the Aboriginal Healing and Reconciliation Fund. (A186)

AGREED to concur in the affirmation and recognition of the Labrador Métis peoples, as outlined in the recommendations of Volume 4, section 3 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples; and call upon the federal and provincial governments concerned to enter without delay into constructive dialogue with the Labrador Métis Association in all areas of concern expressed within the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which are designed to advance the full and equitable implementation of the Labrador Métis' land title, fishing, harvesting and other rights, and to meet the educational, spiritual and other community needs of the Labrador Métis; and to promote education regarding the cultural identity and history of the Labrador Métis through the work and programs of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Council of the North and the Eco-Justice Committee. (A187)

AGREED to request the Financial Management and Development Committee to study the feasibility of establishing a national group insurance plan for Church property and liability and third party liability insurance which dioceses could join, if they so desired (B-40)

AGREED to 1) affirm support of the United Nations' work for religious freedom worldwide; 2)  affirm the mission partnerships of the Provinces of the Anglican Communion, responding to their guidance as to the appropriate help this Church can provide to combat religious persecution in their home countries; and further 3)  direct the Eco-Justice Committee and PWRDF to review the most appropriate ways in which the Anglican Church of Canada can respond to religious persecution abroad  4)  encourage the House of Bishops, the Eco-Justice Committee, PWRDF and all other relevant committees of the National Church: to be advocates for victims of religious persecution; to continue to respond to the needs of Anglican Churches experiencing persecution; to explore ways in which the suffering of persecuted Christians and other religious groups can be addressed through international diplomacy, and that this resolution be commended to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Anglican Representative to the United Nations, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, and that all congregations of the Anglican Church of Canada be encouraged to pray regularly for persecuted Christians and to observe the annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In 1998, the date will be November 15th. (C-12)

AGREED that Primate's World Relief and Development Fund be requested to consider a substantial increase in its Canadian Program. (C-17)

AGREED to strongly encourage the Council of the General Synod to continue its deliberations regarding Church Army membership in the General Synod. 
(C-22)

AGREED to reaffirm a commitment to a just and speedy settlement of unresolved aboriginal claims and, through the Primate, urge the governments of Canada and British Columbia to conclude the treaty with the Nisga'a people, as expeditiously as possible, honouring all commitments already made. (C-25)

AGREED that Part II of Canon III, Procedures for the election of a Primate, be repealed and replaced with a new section II.(A-69)

AGREED to 1. to express to the Government of Canada its concern for the decrease in foreign aid spending;  2. and to urge the Government of Canada to renew its commitment contained in its statement "Canada in the World", to make progress towards the Official Development Assistance target of 0.7% of GNP but urged that this commitment not be qualified by the words "when Canada's fiscal situation permits"; 
3. to urge the Government of Canada to set out a framework for reforming Official Development Assistance (ODA) focusing on the elimination of poverty and including a timetable for renewed ODA growth. (A-160)

AGREED to acknowledge and commend. The Sacred Walk for Healing that the people of north-western Ontario and Manitoba began in March 1997. We encourage all people to support them in this vision of hope for healthy families and communities as The Sacred Walk for Healing  continues to Ottawa to meet with the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and to urge her continued support for reconciliation. (A188) 

AGREED to respectfully request the Prime Minister to apologize to those Inuit families and individuals from the east coast of Hudson Bay and from certain points of Baffin Island and their descendants, who were displaced from their communities and traditional hunting areas to the High Arctic in the 1950's,. (A189R)

DEFEATED a resolution to adopt the  "Covenant of Protection"  (Proposed Human Rights Principles) (A130)

DEFEATED a resolution to adopt the document A Proclamation of Responsibility.." (C-20)

AGREED to approve the 1997 audited consolidated financial statement of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (A231) AGREED that mindful of Christ's commandment to love our enemies, ˇ to call upon Anglicans to study Just War theory and its implications for Christian response to war and militarism; and ˇ to request that the Eco-Justice Committee establish a task group to provide basic information and materials that will assist dioceses and parishes in this study and to facilitate the exchange of views in response to this call.(C-10)

AGREED to support their leaders' call to the Canadian government to: ˇ affirm abolition as the central goal of Canadian nuclear weapons policy; ˇ urge all states to begin immediately and conclude by the year 2000, a Convention for eliminating nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework; ˇ urge all nuclear weapons states to take their nuclear forces off alert status and commit themselves to no-first-use of nuclear weapons; ˇ renounce any role for nuclear weapons in Canadian defense policy, and call on other countries, including Russia and Canada's NATO allies, to do likewise;
ˇ review the legality of Canada's nuclear weapons-related activities in light of the 1996 International Court of Justice ruling, and then move quickly to end all activities determined to be of questionable legality; ˇ embrace publicly, the conclusions of the 1996 Canberra Commission report, including its recommendations that the nuclear weapons states commit themselves unequivocally to the elimination of nuclear weapons and agree to work immediately on the practical steps and negotiations for its achievement, and that the non-nuclear states join in cooperative international action to implement this commitment; ˇ commend the church leaders' statement to dioceses and parishes, and urge Anglicans to engage themselves in the mounting public efforts to achieve these steps toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and, in particular, the initiatives of Project Ploughshares. (C-11)


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                           t o d a y

FRIDAY MAY 29
7:00 am   Breakfast
9:00 am   Resolutions
11:30 am  Prorogation and closing Eucharist

- 30 -

This is the last issue of Perspectives, written by Tod Maffin, electronic news coordinator for General Synod 1998.  It was distributed at about 9am EST each morning during the General Synod on the ACC-SynodNews mailing list on Internet email, on Quest/Ecunet, in America Online's faith centre, and on a variety of diocesan bulletin board systems.

You are encouraged to distribute this text to people known to you, provided no automated mailing list software is used to perform this forwarding function.  No fee may be charged for distribution of this text, nor can this text be bundled with other information or programs without the written permission of the Anglican Church of Canada.

. . . tod =-)

      tod k. maffin
      electronic news coordinator
      general synod 1998 - may 21-29 montreal
      anglican church of canada
      http://www.anglican.ca/synod98/