Native Christian Perspectives on Reconciliation
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article36985
- Author
- Crist, Mary
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- First Peoples Theology Journal
- Date
- 2006 June
- Author
- Crist, Mary
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- First Peoples Theology Journal
- Date
- 2006 June
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 1
- Page
- 57-61
- Notes
- "In July, 1997 the 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed Resolution 1997-035 in Philadelphia. The resolution designated the decade 1997-2007 as the 'Decade of Remembrance, Recognition, and Reconciliation'. It called for each diocese to 'take such steps as necessary to fully recognize and welcome Native Peoples into congregational life, which will include a special effort toward developing an outreach partnership among urban Native Peoples'. The resolution called for $30,000 in funding for the triennium for use in planning appropriate celebrations, events, and materials for the Decade of Remembrance, Recognition, and Reconciliation. Named 'The New Covenant at Jamestown', this decidedly bold move by the Episcopal Church was intended to reconcile relationships among all Episcopalians, including indigenous peoples. However, in the years that followed, little happened". "As the Decade of Remembrance, Recognition, and Reconciliation winds down, it is not easy to think about being reconciled with a church that seems to make promises it has difficulty keeping. What is the nature of reconciliation among peoples whose relationship for the last 400 years has been built on 'a trail of broken promises' ? The purpose of this article is to explore three questions: 1. What is reconciliation ? 2. What does reconciliation mean to Native people ? 3. What does reconciliation with the church mean ?" "The abuses of Native people committed in the name of Christ through the Anglican Communion are well documented, even predictable, given the pejorative language used by James I in the Jamestown Charter. Many English did not even recognize our people as human beings, never mind as peers in God's eyes. They acted accordingly. Nevertheless, on the Feast of All Saints, November 1, 1997 at a shrine on the site of the first Anglican Eucharist in the colony 'A Covenant of Faith: the Episcopal Church's Apology for the Church's Treatment of Native Americans' was signed by Natives and non-Natives as a step toward healing. The event inaugurated the Decade of Remembrance, Recognition, and Reconciliation leading to the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown in 1607. How are we supposed to move forward in this reconciliation when, as previously mentioned, it seems difficult to find funding for it ?"
- Subjects
- Decade of Remembrance, Recognition and Reconciliation - Episcopal Church
- Reconciliation - Religious aspects - Episcopal Church
- Indians of North America - United States - Episcopal Church
- Native peoples - United States - Episcopal Church
- Native ministry - Episcopal Church
- Jamestown Covenant (1997)
- Apologies - Religious aspects - Episcopal Church
- Location
- General Synod Archives