The convention of the Diocese of Western New York was a sea of calm only momentarily stirred by hot debate on a resolution on hate crimes. The convention, held in Buffalo Oct. 23-24, was the last convention prior to the retirement of the Rt. Rev. David C. Bowman as diocesan bishop.

Rules of order were adopted for the electoral convention which will convene in St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo, Dec. 5.

The chaplain for the convention was the Rt. Rev. Joachim Fricker, retired Suffragan Bishop of Toronto. His theme in the homily at the convention Eucharist reiterated that the diocese and the Episcopal Church are part of the larger Anglican Communion even at times when a diocese and the national church are focused on work that is close to home.

In the legislative session the convention put the diocese on record as establishing as a priority overcoming the sin of racism, and stated the expectation that the diocesan racism commission will conduct a training program in every parish and mission. Another resolution provides that members of profile search and nominating committees within the diocese will be given antiracism training. A third resolution calls for the establishment of a fund to be used in support of an active minority recruitment effort for the recruitment, retention and education of people of color for ordained ministry in this diocese.

After being hotly debated, resolutions were passed calling on convention to decry hate crimes and to urge passage of state and federal hate crime legislation. Some felt that current legislation makes these actions crimes and no further penalty is called for, while others believe that a crime motivated by hatred calls for more severe penalties and societal sanction.

(The Rev.) Donald B. Hill