News Briefs
Episcopal News Service. July 12, 2001 [2001-185]
Convocation of American Churches in Europe elects first bishop
(ENS) The Rev. Pierre Whalon, rector of St. Andrew's Church and School in Ft. Pierce, Florida, was elected the first suffragan bishop of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe at a special convention in Paris June 23. The convocation asked Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold last December for permission to elect its next bishop. Historically the part-time position has been appointed by the presiding bishop. Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn, who is retiring, has serve full-time since his appointment in January of 1994. Whalon was elected on the third ballot. The other candidates were the Rev. Mark Harris of the Diocese of Delaware and the Rev. Gray Temple of the Diocese of Atlanta.
Whalon has dual French and US citizenship. Originally a music scholar, he is a 1985 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and served parishes in Pennsylvania before moving to Florida.
The convocation comprises nine churches, four mission congregations and four specialized ministries in five European countries. An integral part of the Episcopal Church USA, it is under the jurisdiction of the presiding bishop. Subject to consents by diocesan standing committees and bishops, Whalon will be consecrated November 18 at St. Paul's Within the Walls in Rome.
Illinois megachurch plans to use television in satellite churches
(ENS) Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago is planning to launch satellite churches that would gather people before huge video screens linked to Sunday services at the megachurch.
According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, Willow Creek will build or rent space at a dozen sites around the area where a pastor, musicians and a congregation would gather for a mix of worship and preaching beamed in via fiber-optic lines. While television preaching is commonplace in America, Willow Creek will combine live worship and video uplink in its unusual attempt to blend traditional ideas of church with media alternatives.
Willow Creek started in 1975 in a movie theater in Palatine with 125 people and now draws an average of 17,000 to six services each weekend. Yet its leaders realized that they wanted to reach more people. "We're doing this because our attenders who live farther than 30 minutes from Willow Creek made it very clear that they would like to invite more friends and more actively participate, but distance is a barrier," said David Staal, director of communications for the congregation. A survey of members revealed strong support for the idea of satellite churches.
Native bishop in Canada forgives church for its dealings with indigenous peoples
(ACC) Bishop Gordon Beardy of Keewatin formally forgave the church for its past dealings with indigenous peoples at a native healing ceremony during the General Synod meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC).
Beardy made it clear at the service that he was speaking not as a bishop but as a native person who had attended a residential school. The church is facing hundreds of lawsuits alleging abuse of indigenous children attending the schools, which were run by the church for the government. One diocese has already announced that it will go bankrupt this fall and, unless the government provides some relief, the national church could also face bankruptcy.
"From my heart I would like to say that I forgive you and I want to forgive your church which has become my church. I forgive your people who have become my people," Beardy said. "I accept your apology because you have worked so hard to break down the barriers. Where things that were condemned before, today you receive them with joy. Where once we were outsiders, today we are with you, as a friend, as a leader, as a brother."
Archbishop Michael Peers formally apologized on behalf of the church for its role in the abuses occurring at residential schools and the apology was accepted by the elders at the national native convocation in 1993. It is considered by many to be a watershed moment in the church's relationship with its native members.
Later in an interview Beardy said that he was proud that his church was listening to native people. "This is not a white church any more," he said. "I feel it is our church." He said it was the right time for the church's native members to forgive and continue the "healing journey."
African Anglicans launch initiative to fight AIDS pandemic
(ENS) Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, primate of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa, said in a July 4 statement that a broad-based initiative will be launched in response to the AIDS pandemic that is sweeping through sub-Saharan Africa. "This initiative is unique and a global first in that it draws together faith-based communities, international agencies (such as the United Nations, the Agency for International Development and the World Bank), the donor community and pharmaceutical companies," he said in the statement.
"Although it is an Anglican initiative, the task ahead is so great that we plan to involve other Christian denominations and faiths, NGOs and civil society," Ndungane said. The program will be officially launched at a strategic planning conference in mid-August that will address "the nine concerns identified as key to the battle against AIDS," including counseling, care for those living with AIDS, the role of leadership, prevention, spiritual guidance, aid for orphans, funding and advocacy.
Ndungane said that representatives from other parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion would be present at the conference to observe and assess whether a similar initiative might be appropriate for their countries.
"If one considers the ability of churches to reach deep into communities and to adopt a hands-on approach to the pandemic, there is little doubt that our commitment can and must impact on all Africa and, indeed, the whole world," Ndungane said in his statement. "We know this is not going to be an easy task. In many instances we are going to have to cut across tradition and culture in terms of issues such as sex education for our young people and burial customs that take up too much land and place poverty stricken families into a permanent debt cycle." He asked for prayers "as we embark on a prophetic challenge in which we dare not fail, especially in our role of providing spiritual and emotional healing."