Anglican Bishops Express Concern Over Economy
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official3191
- Date
- 1981 November 10
- Source
- Anglican News Service
- Type
- Press Release
- Text of motion
- Toronto, Nov. 10, 1981 -- For immediate release
- "The very real suffering being endured by large numbers of Canadians" has moved the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada to "call for justice and a sharing of our resources."
- In a statement sent today to the Prime Minister, Mr. Clark and Mr. Broadbent the Bishops expressed concern not only about inflation and high interest rates, but also about "Government restraints imposed on schools and universities."
- The Bishops represent thirty dioceses of the Church in Canada, from coast to coast. They were meeting last week in Pierrefonds, Quebec.
- The full text of their statement is enclosed.
- - 30 -
- R.J. Berryman
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- Notes
- The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada feels a deep concern for the welfare of Canadians at this period in our history.
- We commend Federal and Provincial leaders for the new initiative to strengthen our unity as a people. However, we are increasingly disturbed by the very real suffering being endured by large numbers of Canadians who are losing their homes because of high mortgage rates. The daily struggle with inflation and high interest rates affects those least able to cope - our senior citizens and families on low income. We share a deep concern over high unemployment especially of young Canadians who are our future. Coupled with this, Government restraints imposed on schools and universities mean that fewer young people will receive the benefits of educational opportunity to prepare them for a complex society in which they will need more education, not less.
- The bishops do not pretend to have answers which Parliamentarians and economists have not discovered but we do claim that the Christian gospel has insights for such a time as this; our faith predicates that Christians have the obligation to be involved in society and the Church has the duty to call for justice and a sharing of our resources in order that the greatest good for the greatest number may be secured.
- We believe that we live in a fortunate land and that Christians should be foremost in supporting the unity of Canada and in sensitivity to our differences which can offer us strength and a rich mosaic of life.
- We hold that every Canadian has the right to be employed and to be decently housed and that Christian people have the duty to press government to that necessary goal.
- We hold the thesis that our young people are one of our greatest assets and that all of us must share the struggle to ensure the best future possible for them.
- We realise the cost involved but would commend the Christian imperative to share for the general good of all.
- Subjects
- Canada - Economic conditions - 1971-
- Economics - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Economic justice - Canada
- Economic justice - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Unemployment - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada. House of Bishops