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 one prior to the retirement of the Rt. Rev. David C. Bowman as diocesan bishop.

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

The convention established as a priority the overcoming of the sin of racism, through training programs and a fund to be used in support of the recruitment, retention and education of people of color for ordained ministry in the diocese.

The murder of Dr. Barnett Sleppian in a Buffalo suburb on Friday evening was the backdrop for the Saturday debate of a resolution which called on convention to decry hate crimes, and to urge passage of state and national "hate crime legislation." After being hotly debated, the resolution's resolves were divided and each passed individually.

(The Rev.) Don Hill