The Most Rev. Michael G. Peers, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, told members of Canadian congregations that because of the cost of legal actions stemming from sexual abuse in the nation's residential schools, "... we are faced with litigation so costly as to change radically our structures and our life as a national church." The archbishop asked that the statement be read in all parishes May 28.

Since the allegations came to light last year, 1,600 claims have named the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Canadian government as defendants and found them liable for damages. "The costs of litigation and settlements for these (cases) is sufficient to exhaust all the assets of the General Synod and some of the dioceses involved," Archbishop Peers said.

"I want to assure all Anglicans that what is at risk financially are our assets, not the contributions that provide for the ongoing ministry and mission of the church at parish, diocesan or national levels," he said. "Your contributions serve the mission of the church - not the costs of litigation."

He noted that the ways the Anglican Church of Canada carries out its mission "will be modified." Speaking of the negotiations with the government seeking alternative means for the church to provide "a just contribution to compensation" for the victims, Archbishop Peers told church members, "we will be a very different church."