Date

1981 November 2-6

Source

House of Bishops. Minutes

Type

Resolution 4-11-81

Mover

Bishop A. Brown

Seconder

Bishop Ragg

Text of motion

That we adopt the Message prepared and revised by the Archbishop of Toronto as our Statement. CARRIED #4-11-81

Notes

It was agreed that the Message be sent, with the consent of the Bishops in each civil Province, to Provincial and Federal Parliamentarians, released to the press, and used in the dioceses as the Bishop sees fit.

[It was agreed,]

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 initiatives 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 affect those least able to cope - our senior citizens and families on low incomes. 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 realize 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

Less detail