Looking back on the BAS: After 25 years, this book still has the power to irk some

Notes: "September 2010 marked the 25th anniversary of the publication of the Anglican Church of Canada's Book of Alternative Services (BAS). Controversial when it was first introduced, the BAS still elicits passionate responses". "The Rev. David Holeton, a priest and liturgical specialist, worked on the BAS from 1974 on. He admits there were moments of tension. 'Emotions were unbelievably high' at times, he says". "'Quite frequently, the people who were most welcoming were older people', says [the Rev. Paul] Gibson. On the other hand, resistance was sometimes intense. The Prayer Book Society was formed, for example, and attracted people who have maintained 'a fairly steady critique of the BAS', says Gibson. Others felt the book didn't go far enough". "Over the years, Holeton, who has been part of the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation, says the BAS has found many admirers overseas. Many think it is 'one of the best of the new Anglican books', he says. 'I think that's something that we can be proud of'. The BAS has been translated and borrowed by churches in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, he adds".

Subjects: Anglican Church of Canada. Book of Alternative Services; Anglican Church of Canada. Book of Alternative Services - Anniversaries, etc.; Anglican Church of Canada. Book of Common Prayer 1959; Prayer-books - Anglican Church of Canada; Anglican Church of Canada - Liturgy - Texts - History and criticism; Liturgical renewal - Anglican Communion; Gibson, Paul (Paul Saison), 1932-2022; Holeton, David R. (David Ralph), 1948-