Newsmakers in Brief
Episcopal News Service. July 8, 2004 [070804-1-A]
NEWSMAKERS IN BRIEF: Urla Abrigo, Michael Curry, Kurt DelBene, Robin Eames, John Edwards, Jeffrey John, William Swing
IRELAND'S ARCHBISHOP ROBIN EAMES, in an interview released yesterday (July 7) by the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS), said "we don't want any voice to go unheard" as the international Lambeth Commission on Communion (LCC) prepares its upcoming report focused largely on interrelationships among Anglicans worldwide and how they deal with differences of opinion and practice.
Appointed last fall by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Commission has called for comment from among the world's 70 million Anglicans to ascertain insights into how "communion" is defined and applied, especially amid differing views on the roles of gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions. The comments will inform the commission's report, to be finalized in late September, to the Archbishop of Canterbury and fellow Anglican archbishops on the Standing Committee of the Primates' Meeting.
Reiterating that "the opportunity is there for all to make a submission to the Commission," Eames said responses should be sent "by means of the process set out on our website" (http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ecumenical/commissions/lambeth/index.cfm).
"I am increasingly aware of the importance of keeping channels of communication open at every level of our Communion at this time," Eames, who is Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, told ACNS. "I believe, from my experience in Northern Ireland, that division, when honestly confronted and understood, can so easily be turned into opportunity for the future."
He added: "When the report is published, I hope that it will be read with prayer and generosity and will provide a basis to help us face up to any future tensions, and to discern God's purposes for the Anglican Communion."
The full report can be found at: www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/38/50/acns3850.cfm
LOS ANGELES LAY LEADER URLA ABRIGO, chief executive officer of the Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union serving the Diocese of Los Angeles, was recognized June 25 by the Los Angeles City Council on the occasion of the credit union's 10th year of service. A formal proclamation was presented at City Hall by council members who praised Abrigo, her leadership, and the credit union for the support it provides, especially to low-income residents of Southern California. With nearly $5 million in assets, the credit union was formed in response to the 1992 civil disturbances in Los Angeles. The late Gloria Brown, a former staff member of the Episcopal Church Center in New York, was among founders who built the credit union using a $100,000 initial grant from the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, known today as Episcopal Relief and Development. Further information about the credit union may be obtained by phoning 213.482.2040, ext. 256.
NORTH CAROLINA BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY on July 1 sent a letter to clergy telling those who want to bless same-sex unions within the Diocese of North Carolina that they may do so within stated guidelines. "From my perspective as Bishop, the blessing of the committed lifelong unions of persons of the same gender is one way our community can live the Gospel through faithful and loving pastoral care and spiritual support for each other," the letter reads in part. Curry's letter follows official action last month by St. Phillip's Church in Durham, North Carolina, to allow the blessing of same-gender unions among its membership.
NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS, named July 6 as the vice-presidential running mate of likely Democratic Party presidential candidate John Kerry of Massachusetts, is a United Methodist who has made various statements on his views of the separation of church and state.
In a December 2003 interview with the Interfaith Alliance, Edwards said: "My faith is enormously important to me personally, as I expect everyone's faith to be important to them personally ... [T]he separation of church and state is absolutely critical. We cannot have our government imposing one faith belief on its people. There are many faiths. All faiths in this country deserve exactly the same level of respect and to be treated with the same level of dignity. And I think the separation of church and state is enormously important to what we are as a nation."
An aide in Edwards' office today confirmed that the senator and his family have for many years attended the Edenton Street Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
SAN FRANCISCO'S BISHOP WILLIAM SWING will be honored July 31 by the Diocese of California for his 25 years as its bishop. Planned for the Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg, California, the Saturday festivities set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m.will include plenty of time for relaxation on the scenic grounds of the Sonoma County ranch. Swing and his wife, Mary, will be saluted for their varied ministries, which included the bishop's leadership in establishing the United Religion's Initiative. Reservations are requested and may be placed by phoning San Francisco's Diocesan House, 415.673.5015. Information about the Bishop's Ranch may be obtained at: http://www.bishopsranch.org/
SEATTLE LAY LEADER KURT DelBENE, vice president of the Office Server Group on Microsoft Office System and an active member of St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, has been named to the board of directors of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), the agency's president, Sandra Swan, announced July 7.
"Kurt's dedication to the Church and enthusiasm to further ERD's work will be an asset to our board," Swan said. "He is a leader who can lend his expertise to help strengthen ERD's programs lifting families out of poverty."
Idaho Bishop Harry Bainbridge, who chairs the ERD board, praised DelBene's "strong business background" and "deep sense of the needs of sick and poor people."
ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND: JEFFREY JOHN INSTALLED AS CATHEDRAL DEAN
Anglican priest Jeffrey John was installed July 2 as dean of St. Albans Cathedral, which is dedicated to the memory of England's first Christian martyr and located just north of London. John made headlines last year by declining an appointment as bishop suffragan of Reading, also near London, after issue was taken with his sexual orientation as an openly gay man. While John's new ministry as dean reportedly prompted the finance board chairman of the St. Albans diocese to resign in protest, support for John has been strongly expressed by members of the cathedral chapter and the local bishop Christopher Herbert, according to reports.
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