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Reeves 'Handed over' by New Zealanders to Become Anglican Representative to UN

Episcopal News Service. January 25, 1991 [91021]

Frederick S. Roffman

Sir Paul Reeves, former archbishop of the Church of the Province of New Zealand who has just completed a six-year term as governor-general of that country, was received on January 13 at Trinity Church, Wall Street, as the first permanent representative of the Anglican Communion to the United Nations.

Reeves, a Maori, formally assumed his new roles as the Anglican Consultative Council's representative to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and as an assisting bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New York in a short, colorful "handing-over ceremony that mixed Anglican ritual with Maori tradition.

It is Maori custom to accompany a person when he takes up a new position or begins a new piece of work as a sign of the community's continuing love and support.

The delegation that accompanied Reeves and his wife, Beverley, included Bishop Whakahuihui Vercoe of New Zealand, Vercoe's wife, Doris, and other church leaders.

During his term of office, Reeves will establish liaison with officials in charge of programs of the United Nation's Economic and Social Council and work with officials from UNESCO and UNICEF in conjunction with programs that are of specific interest to the communion.

In 1992 Reeves will represent Anglican concerns at a conference in Brazil on development and the environment. He will also focus on the plight of refugees in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and on other human rights issues, particularly those relating to women and children.

Principal funding for the three-year appointment to the United Nations has been provided by Trinity Church. "Our focus has been to work with church partners in the South, but two years ago we began to look for opportunities to support the church in worldwide enterprises," said the Rev. Daniel Paul Matthews, rector of Trinity Church.

At the welcoming ceremony, Reeves wore a kahukiwi, the traditional ceremonial robe of kiwi bird feathers that is worn as a sign of chiefly rank.

To the accompaniment of a Maori chant, the delegation moved to the chancel steps. Vercoe described Reeves's accomplishments to the congregation and, following tradition, told those present that if the community did not appreciate the "treasure" that had been brought, the New Zealanders would return to "reclaim" him.

Reeves was greeted by the Rev. Austin Cooper, U.S. representative to the Anglican Consultative Council; Dr. William Vendeley, secretary general of the World Conference on Religion and Peace, representing nongovernmental organizations at the United Nations, and the Rev. George Packard, canon to Bishop Richard Grein, who received him as an assisting bishop.

The ceremony was completed by the exchange of the Maori cloak for a new cope and mitre, presented to Reeves by Trinity's rector, Paul Matthews, as a gift from the parish.

Reeves will have an office at the Episcopal Church Center, a block from the United Nations headquarters. He and his wife will live on campus at General Theological Seminary in New York City.