Monday Evening Panel Discussion

The following is a summary of the panel discussion, Monday evening,

May 25.

A panel of public figures told Synod that church leaders ought to play a greater role in speaking out on issues of the day, especially when matters of principle and social justice are concerned.

The strongest plea for a more pro-active social role by the church and its leaders came from Quebec elder statesman Claude Ryan, a former Liberal leader in the Assemblée Nationale and the spokesman for the No side during Quebec's first referendum on independence in 1980.

"I would like to see religious leaders intervene in debates more clearly and more forcibly where matters of principle are involved," Mr. Ryan told the 300 General Synod members meeting here this week. "I would like to see them participate more in the formation of young people...The Church must play a more active role in helping us solve our problems"

His comments were echoed by Senator Ann Cools, moderator of the five-person panel, who agreed that the church "must intervene more forcibly in the problems of our country," and by former attorney general of British Columbia, Brian Smith, who described churches as "important vehicles of national understanding and reconciliation."

Another panelist, Joan Fraser, Director General of the Centre for Research and Information on Canada and a former editor of the Montreal Gazette, asked: "If you the church, don't go to the heart of things, then who will?"

The panel was convened to address Synod members on the theme of "nation and identity" but comments covered the gamut of social and political issues with the place of Quebec in the Canadian Confederation at the forefront.

The General Synod theme -- "Lift every voice/Faisons entendre nos voix" is meant to invite members to reflection diversity, inclusiveness and minority voices in Canadian society.

Another panelist, Grand Chief Matthew Coon-Come of the Grand Council of the Cree, said that churches today are to be commended for the role they seek to play in righting social wrongs, but that in the past, they have been complicit in fostering social conditions that have lead to the plight of aboriginal peoples in Canada today. "I challenge members of all faith communities to be witness to these injustices," he said, referring to the social problems his people struggle against.

Speaking to the evening's theme, Chief Coon-Come said that "nation and identity" are more than mere political concepts. In the case of Canada's aboriginal peoples, he argued, "it is self evident that we are a people and a nation."

Chief Coon-Come said there has, in fact, been little evolution in the way that Canadian society treats aboriginal peoples from the days of imposed or fraudulent treaties today. A new policy to deal with aboriginal peoples formulated by the Quebec government is a perpetuation of the same "fraud and hoax," he said.

Speaking to the evening's theme, Chief Coon-Come said that "nation and identity" are more than mere political concepts. In the case of Canada's aboriginal people, he argued, "it is self evident that we are a people and a nation."

Chief Coon-Come said there has, in fact, been little evolution in the way that Canadian society treats aboriginal peoples from the days of imposed or fraudulent treaties today. A new policy to deal with aboriginal peoples formulated by the Quebec government is a perpetuation of the same "fraud and hoax," he said.

Anglican News Service

Tuesday morning

The morning session began with a humorous Even TV Hosts are Human.

The Venn. Jim Boyles, General Secretary of General Synod, announced that the Rt. Rev. Jim Cruickshank, Bishop of Cariboo, had left the Synod to attend a trial in Smithers, B.C. involving the Diocese of Cariboo and the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. Archdeacon Boyles asked members to pray for all those involved in the trial which is expected to take approximately two weeks.

1. Primate's Commission on Evangelism

The Rev. Maude Parsons-Horst spoke on behalf of the Primate's Commission on Evangelism. She said that the Primate has raised the voice of evangelism, not only in Canada, but throughout the world as he travels on behalf of the Anglican Communion. Anglicans have been silent (about evangelism) for a while and it is hard to find your voice when you have been silent for a long time but there are now encouraging signs across the country that the church is awakening.

Synod viewed a video of the April meeting of the Primate's Commission on Evangelism.

The Rt. Rev. Peter Mason, Bishop of Ontario and a member of the Primate's Commission on Evangelism chaired a panel discussion on evangelism. Panel members were:

Ms. Anne Marie Beedle (Huron)

The Rev. Timothy Chesterton (Athabasca)

The Rt. Rev. Don Harvey (East. NF & Lab.)

Each panelist spoke about how they experience evangelism in their lives today and offered their vision of evangelism - people across the country in parishes coming to know the real love of God; small loving communities where people feel affirmed and can grow in love; changing the way we think about evangelism - involving doubting, seeking people in community and sharing the gospel.

Bishop Mason thanked the Primate for his leadership and said that he has opened the door and kept it open - I hope that the decade of evangelism will stretch out to be the millennium of evangelism.

In his closing remarks the Primate spoke about the document The Inviting Church, a document on evangelism that was presented to the 1980 General Synod and said that it was a defining moment for evangelism in the church.

The Primate's Commission on Evangelism was established in (1989). The Commission will continue to work toward the end of the decade and will have another gathering before then.

2. Human Rights

Prior to the resolution on Human Rights Dr. Chris Lind explained to the Synod the history of the proposal that began the Human Rights process in the Church.

The Covenant of Protection that The Anglican Church of Canada proposes to enter into with its members, with its employees, and with those who seek the services of the church, in order to protect those most vulnerable includes the right to:

1. be treated with courtesy, compassion and integrity

2. fair treatment

3. to vote

4. be considered for election

5. be considered for service

6. and the proposal outlines the rights of all persons employed by the church in positions not requiring ordination.

Synod met in committee of the whole to discuss Human Rights resolutions A130R and C-20.

3. Anglican Worship Resources Society

Synod celebrated the 100th Birthday of the Anglican Worship Resources Society (formerly the Church Bible and Prayer Society).

Afternoon

4. Resolutions

Synod began the afternoon with discussion of Resolution A130R Covenant of Protection Proposed Human Rights Principles.

Afternoon

4. Human Rights

Synod began the afternoon with discussion of Resolution A130R Covenant of Protection Proposed Human Rights Principles.

5. Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples

The presentation began with the giving of gifts to members of Synod. Vi Smith and Grace Delaney from the Council of Indigenous peoples addressed the Synod and made a presentation, of the Hendry Report - Beyond Traplines, to the Primate, Bishop Hutchison and Bishop Beardy. The presentation was in honour of the re-issue of the book in an up-dated version. The book is available from the Anglican Book Centre.

Many groups of indigenous people are represented in Anglican Church of Canada "they are spread across this land from the very edge of Labrador to the high Arctic and across the mountains to British Columbia." They are known by many names - Gitskan, Nisga'a, Swampy Cree, Quebec Cree...

The Rev. Arthur Anderson, Ms. Jennifer Pepabano and Mrs. Lizzie Epoo-York shared their personal stories.

The Indigenous People in the Anglican Church of Canada have begun to heal the pain of their experiences at residential schools . The healing began at the 1st Native Convocation in 1993 with the Primate's apology for the the physical, cultural and emotional abuse that took place in some of the residential schools. The healing continues.

Grace Delaney thanked the national church for its support on their journey, especially Anglican Video, the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund and the Anglican Foundation. She also expressed appreciation to the New England Company for its financial support.

Members viewed A Journey Begins with a Dream, produced by Anglican Video, documenting the healing journey of the indigenous people of the Anglican Church of Canada.