Anglican Indigenous Network Calls for Non-geographic Province
Episcopal News Service. April 16, 2003 [2003-083-2]
Among the resolutions passed by the Anglican Indigenous Network (AIN) at its meeting in Aotearoa (New Zealand) in early April was once calling for 'the creation of a non-geographic province of the Anglican Communion for the Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Rim.'
Participants in the meeting said that membership in the network is based on a mission statement that underscores a commitment to the Anglican tradition 'while affirming our traditional spirituality. We believe that God is leading the church to a turning point in its history and that the full partnership of indigenous peoples is essential,' according to the statement. 'Therefore we pledge to work together to exercise our leadership in contributing our vision and gifts to transform the life of the Christian community.'
Following a traditional Maori welcome on the shores of Lake Rotorua, and a signal that the delegation was coming in peace, Bishop Whakauihui Vercoe said in a sermon that the guests should be 'storytellers, value bearers, community builders and spiritual journeyers' whose voices contribute to the Anglican Communion. 'This is our heritage and to act on this heritage is our ministry. It is a ministry of listening, of healing, and of caring.'
Malcolm Naea Chun, secretary general of AIN, noted in his opening remarks that the network had shifted its emphasis to focus more directly on the issues and concerns of its constituents--especially youth, women, elders, clergy and theological education and training. Delegations from the Torres Strait Islands of Australia, Indigenous Peoples of Canada, Native Americans of the United States and Hawaii, and Maori delegates brought their regional concerns to the meeting.