"Rev. Canon Colin Craston of England was elected chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council at its recent meeting. He succeeds Rev. Yong Ping Chung of Sabah, who has been chairman since 1984. Canon Craston, 67, has been vice-chairman of the ACC[Anglican Consultative Council] since 1987." "In other elections, Rev. Canon Simon Chiwanga was elected vice-chairman." "Archbishop Douglas Hambidge, metropolitan of British Columbia, was one of the three new members elected to the ACC standing committee".
The first joint meeting of the Anglican Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council met in Cape Town for eleven days in January 1993. Addressing a service of more than 10,000 people, Archbishop George Carey "described Africa as `wounded and bleeding'. He added, `No Christian can be excused from coming to the aid our African brothers and sisters in need'." "A delegation of Anglican leaders under Archbishop Carey held a meeting with South African President F.W. De Klerk that focused on the church's influence on the church's influence on the political process". The primates and the Council "rejected the concept of a special episcopal relationship for parishes opposed to the ordination of women". "Addressing the problem of AIDS, Archbishop Yona Okoth of Uganda, urged a `universal response' by asking `all governments, all churches, all religious bodies to do all in their power to fight this killer of our people". Archbishop French Chang-Him of the Indian Ocean raised the issue of cohabitation, asking "for guidance on what to do about the growing number of unmarried people who live together. `It raises the whole issue of what is marriage', Archbishop Chang-Him said. `It becomes a very theological issue'." The Consultative Council also "urged Israel to comply with a United Nations resolution that Palestinian deportees be returned to their homes on the West Bank and Gaza". The two bodies will probably not meet at the same time again. "Archbishop Eames noted the meeting did not give the primates enough time together, Archbishop Douglas Hambidge, metropolitan of British Columbia, went farther. `I am convinced that the primates and the ACC should never meet together because they have different agendas', he said".
"Archbishop Douglas Hambidge of New Westminster has asked that the national church not appeal directly to people in his diocese for contributions to the Anglican Appeal." "In a recent letter to New Westminster parishes, the archbishop says that the diocese believes appeals are an inappropriate way to fund vital ministry."
A description of the most month-long training program for new bishops which is organized by the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) every two years. The most recent program was attended by 18 bishops at the Mbagala Spiritual Centre in Dar es Salaam in June 2004. Special tribute was paid to the Most Rev. Douglas Hambidge, retired Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia, the "gamaliel" of the training session who "took the bishops through inspiring Bible reflections and discussions on the role of a bishop as a leader, servant, president, teacher, pastor, administrator and symbol of unity". The bishops also heard other presentations on HIV/AIDS, communications and theology.
"A month-long Bishops' training camp was held in Dar es-Salaam at the Mbagala Spiritual Centre earlier this summer [June 2004] for all new Bishops in the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA). During the training, the bishops had a unique opportunity to serve in various parishes in the Diocese of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam is a growing city with thousands of Anglicans. During his month-long ministry at the St. Alban's Parish, the Rt. Rev. William Waqo of Anglican Church of Kenya, said he was pleased to experience the diversity of worship in the East African region. He expressed hope that partnerships would be enhanced in the region and throughout the continent".
The Thirty-Second Session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada convened in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John's, Newfoundland, at 10:00 a.m. Before the service began, the Synod was informed that, because of illness, the Primate, the Most Reverend Michael G. Peers, would be absent from the beginning of the Synod. Accordingly, the Archbishop, senior by appointment, the Most Reverend Douglas W. Hambidge, Archbishop of New Westminster and Metropolitan of British Columbia, acted as President of the Synod. He reported that there was a quorum present (bishops, clergy and laity) and that the General Synod could proceed. He then declared the Thirty-Second Session of the General Synod to be constituted.
The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by the Most Reverend Douglas Hambidge, Archbishop of New Westminster and Metropolitan of British Columbia, the Most Reverend Walter Jones, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Rupert's Land, the Most Reverend John Bothwell, Archbishop of Niagara and Metropolitan of Ontario, and the Most Reverend Reginald Hollis, Archbishop of Montreal and Metropolitan of Canada. Dr. Douglas Fox, Dean of Queen's College, St. John's, Newfoundland, delivered the homily.
A statement prepared by Archbishop Hambidge regarding the removal of roadblocks by armed police was discussed.
Text
That we endorse this as a statement of the House. CARRIED
SEE APPENDIX B
Notes
APPENDIX B
STATEMENT BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW WESTMINSTER THE MOST REVEREND DOUGLAS HAMBIDGE NOVEMBER 6, 1990
PUBLIC REMOVAL OF INDIAN BLOCKADES
I was dismayed to hear that the Provincial Government of BC intends to use armed police to overrun the roadblock on the Duthie Lake Road.
Anyone who has ever had dealing with native people could tell the Provincial Government that this is never the way to meet Indian people. Their culture has taught that negotiation is the way to settle differences, not force.
The blockade, which has been there for months, is a plea to negotiate. This issue could have been settled the day the blockade appeared if the Provincial Government had met with the native people.
Meanwhile, what is the federal Minister of Indian Affairs doing ? Has no one told him yet that he has a mandate to be protective of the rights of Indians, and to be their advocate ?
This issue is over land under dispute. Surely, the federal minister has no option but to insist that no action be taken which prejudges the land rights question.
Government inaction has exacerbated the tension between native people and loggers, both of whom are victims of this situation.
My fear is that the kind of action now being contemplated only encourages native people to meet violence with violence.
Is Oka already forgotten by the Provincial and Federal Governments, that they can so lightly risk another such confrontation in which there are no winners, and all Canadians are the losers ?