Anglican Primates Visit Church Center
Episcopal News Service. March 13, 1986 [86049]
NEW YORK (DPS, March 13) -- Nine Anglican Primates from Africa and the Middle East visited New York in early March at the invitation of Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning for a day of "reflection and exchange of experiences."
The Primates were on their way to Toronto, Canada, where they will hold their regular biennial meeting under the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Robert A. K. Runcie. Other Primates will make a similar visit to New York at the conclusion of the Toronto meeting.
While in New York, the Primates had the opportunity to meet with staff from the World Mission unit of the Episcopal Church Center and to learn more about the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church at home and abroad. They also asked questions about the Church's involvement in social action, relief and development.
At a service at the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Church Center, the Rt. Rev. Samir Kafity, Bishop President of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, said that "we are all one" because "the Lord of history is one." He added that brotherhood and sisterhood are parts of God's plan for humankind. "We cannot be what God intends us to be apart from one another," he said. He praised the work of the Anglican Communion for offering a framework where part of this universal fellowship can be experienced and realized.
At a meeting at Trinity Parish, Wall Street, which has recently established an African emphasis to its grants program, Archbishop Khotso Makhulu of Central Africa questioned the practical aspects of the principle of partnership "where there is such a vast difference between those who have everything and those who have nothing."
The Rev. Robert Ray Parks, Trinity's rector, said that Trinity recognizes the problem but that in reality "we all are givers and receivers" and that Trinity's grants program tries to use its resources for mission at home and abroad in a spirit of "companionship in the Gospel."
He also said that Trinity uses the guidelines of the Partners in Mission process recommended by the Anglican Consultative Council and has a full-time staff person who spends considerable time in the field in Africa.
At a dinner following the meeting, Arc-Bishop Timothy Olufosoye of Nigeria pleaded for better use of "our common resources" and said: "We are tired and humiliated to have to extend our hands every time there is a calamity or we want to improve our lot."
Browning thanked the Primates for accepting his invitation to visit the USA and sharing their concerns. "We are always inspired by your witness and your dedication to the work of the Kingdom," he said.
Among the main problems confronting Africa today which emerged during the discussions are lack of material resources, lack of trained leadership, political and economic instability, tribalism, great masses of displaced persons and inadequate education and health facilities.
However, it was pointed out that the Church in Africa has a great willingness to serve others, to improve the living conditions of the people and to preach the Gospel.
"Our churches are growing because evangelism is our first priority," said Archbishop Manasses Kuria of Kenya. "There are millions who do not know the Good News, and we need help to train our people to be effective evangelists," he added.
The Primates participated at a reception hosted by the Presiding Bishop in their honor, which was attended by African diplomats from the United Nations. They also had extensive interviews with staff persons of the United Thank Offering, the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and the Overseas Development Office.
The African visitors were guests of several parishes in the New York metropolitan area, where they preached or celebrated the sacraments.