Anglican world issue 143 by Anglican Communion Office

Anglican

WORLD MAGAZINE OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION • ISSUE 143 • DECEMBER 2016

Blessed are the peacemakers Why women have a special gift Sudan prays for peace in the midst of chaos Reconciliation through art on the streets of Egypt anglican world issue 143 december 2016

e d i to r i a l

Reconciliation

– the heart of the Church

OUR CHURCHES ARE dealing with extraordinary challenges across the world today. People in more than half the provinces of the Anglican Communion are enduring conflict or recovering from recent conflict or facing persecution and so the need for peace and reconciliation is inevitably at the heart of what we do. Many of you will be reading this issue of Anglican World with the Christmas season gathering momentum. We are reminded that Jesus Christ comes to us as the Prince of Peace – a sign of the hope of reconciliation with our Father God. And the Archbishop of Canterbury said reconciliation and mediation work seems to be in the DNA of Anglicanism, so it’s particularly appropriate that this issue of Anglican World focuses on that theme. There are so many shining examples of how the Church is working towards unity from assisting in peace talks in South Sudan to bringing Muslims and Christians together in the Middle East. Joining in the recent IARCCUM 2016 was a very visual example of reconciliation at work as bishops from across the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church came this spirit of reconciliation continues to together in Canterbury and Rome to celebrate the deepening relationships between the two traditions over the past 50 years. be the heartbeat of the Communion After sharing experiences and challenges the bishops were inspired to go out into the world and work together for unity and a common mission. Although both sides have faced difficulties over the years, it’s vital that we walk together, giving power and credibility to the message of hope we share in Jesus Christ. The experience of two bishops from Pakistan shows how this is being worked out in practical ways in a very challenging and often dangerous situation for both churches. In this issue of the magazine there are so many stories of how the Church is being part of God’s mission through reconciliation. Bishop Chris McLeod, the first Aboriginal bishop in Australia is working on how to bring healing and reconciliation into his ministry in Southern Australia with its indigenous people. In Egypt young Muslims and Christians are coming together to explore the arts at a centre based in the Cathedral in Alexandria. The hope is that bridges built between young people of both faiths will break down barriers in the future, moving away from the negative stereotypes on both sides. Examples of how God’s people are being the hands and feet of Jesus to bring peace and unity are all around us. My hope and prayer is that this spirit of reconciliation continues to be the heartbeat of the Communion as it reveals God’s love to a troubled world.

Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon Secretary General of the Anglican Communion 2

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

contents

Anglican

world Inside this issue ISSUE 143 DECEMBER 2016

Produced by The Anglican Communion Office St Andrew’s House 16 Tavistock Crescent London W11 1AP United Kingdom Registered Charity 7311767 Tel +44 (0)20 7313 3900 Fax +44 (0)20 7313 3999 E-mail aco@anglicancommunion.org Web www.anglicancommunion.org Serving the Instruments of Communion: The Archbishop of Canterbury The Lambeth Conference The Anglican Consultative Council The Primates’ Meeting And approximately 85 million Anglicans and Episcopalians in more than 165 countries President The Archbishop of Canterbury Secretary General The Most Revd Josiah Idowu-Fearon Editor Rachel Farmer Any comments, questions or contributions should be sent to The Editor at magazine@anglicancommunion.org Subscriptions: E-mail aw.subscriptions@ anglicancommunion.org UK £2.50 / US$4 / €3.50 for one issue. UK £10 / US$16 / €14 for four issues. See our website for how to subscribe to further copies of the magazine – visit http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ resources/shop.aspx Design and Layout Marcus Thomas e-mail info@marcusthomas.co.nz Printed by CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, W. Sussex BN13 1BW

All original material may be reproduced by Member Churches without further permission of the Anglican Consultative Council. Acknowledgement and a copy of the publications are requested. Permission to reproduce copyrighted work should be sought from the owner.

¢ EDITORIAL

Archbishop Josiah on reconciliation at the heart of our churches 2

Anglican

WORLD MAGAZINE OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION • ISSUE 143 • DECEMBER 2016

¢ COMMUNION NEWS

The latest from around the Anglican world 4 ¢ FEATURE

Blessed are the peacemakers

The long road to peace in Colombia 6

Why women have a special gift Sudan prays for peace in the midst of chaos Reconciliation through art on the streets of Egypt

¢ PROFILE

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

Introducing the Archbishop of Canterbury’s new Advisor on Reconciliation – Sarah Snyder 8

Cover photo One of the clergy attending the enthronement of the Archbishop of Kenya CREDIT: BELLAH ZULU (ACO)

¢ PROFILE

Bishop to Bishop – Pakistan bishops talk about unity 10

¢ FEATURE

¢ WORLD VIEW

Reconciliation for Australia’s two communities – with the country’s Aboriginal bishop 18

The Communion at a glance 12

¢ THE LAST WORD

¢ FEATURE

Blessed are the peacemakers – how women have a special gift 14 ¢ ANGLICAN YOUTH

Reconciliation through art in the heart of Egypt 16 ¢ FEATURE

Sudan prays for peace in the midst of violence 18

John Gibaut looks at ecumenical miracles in Canterbury 22 ¢ ANGLICAN WORLD QUESTIONNAIRE 23

Mothers’ Union members in the Congo contribute to peacemaking

ANGLICAN WORLD IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION OFFICE

anglican anglican world world issue issue 143 143DECEMBER december 2016

communion news

africa

RELEASE CELEBRATION IN NIGERIA The release of 21 schoolgirls, held by Islamist terror group Boko Haram was welcomed, with ‘delight, relief and optimism’ by the Anglican Church of Nigeria. The 21 were amongst 276 students kidnapped from the north-eastern Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. A spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said that the Swiss government and the International Committee of the Red Cross had acted as mediators with Boko Haram. Talks are said to be on-going for the release of the remaining 83 girls who are still thought to be held by the group.

Joyous scenes as 21 schoolgirls from Chibok in north-eastern Nigeria were reunited with their parents

BBC

ARCHBISHOP APPOINTS ADVISER FROM SUDAN A bishop from South Sudan has been appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as his new adviser for Anglican Communion affairs. The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, currently bishop of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji in South Sudan, was set to move to London with his wife Jane and their youngest daughter Joy at the end of October 2016. The Archbishop said, ‘I am absolutely delighted that Bishop Anthony is joining the

team at Lambeth. He brings the experience of his ministry in one of the most challenging provinces in the Anglican Communion where he has faithfully served the church as a pastor and teacher. Throughout his ministry he has engaged with the profound issues we face in many parts of the Communion, where famine, war, and violent ethnic tensions destabilise society and leave whole communities living in poverty.’

MEDIC ASSIST INTERNATIONAL

The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, currently Bishop of Kajo-Keji Diocese, South Sudan

europe

WARM WELCOME AT LAMBETH The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, paid a private visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at Lambeth Palace in October. Patriarch Kirill was in the UK to mark the 300th anniversary of the Diocese of Sourozh – the Russian Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland. Earlier, Archbishop Welby and the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, were in attendance when Patriarch Kirill visited the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Archbishop Welby and Patriarch Kirill spoke

LAMBETH PALACE

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, welcomes the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Patriarch Kirill

about “their shared compassion for Christian, and other, minorities in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, where they have

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

been systematically targeted and persecuted and their communities decimated,” a Lambeth Palace spokesperson said.

americas

CANADIAN ANGLICAN TO HEAD CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY Canadian Anglican, Stephen Toope, has been chosen to head one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Stephen, who has served on a number of high-profile church bodies, was recently nominated as vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in the UK. Assuming the appointment will be approved by the university’s

governing body, Mr Toope will begin in his new role on 1 October 2017. He will be the 346th vicechancellor in the university’s 800year history, and is believed to be the first non-Briton to serve in the position.

ANGLICAN JOURNAL

Stephen Toope to be vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge

asia

INDIA’S 70TH CELEBRATIONS More than 700 new believers were baptised at a celebratory service held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Church of South India. The Moderators of the Church of South India (CSI) and the Church of North India (CNI) were both present at the service in St George’s Cathedral, Chennai, as was the Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church and other senior clerics. There were more than 1,000 people in the congregation. In an address, the CNI moderator, Pradip Samantaroy, spoke about how the early church related to its community. And he said that today’s church needed to repent and return to the experiences of being related

CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA

Thousands witnessed the service to mark the 70th anniversary of the Church of South India

and united to their communities, especially in the context of violence,

terrorism and the social evils such as atrocities against women.

europe

STORIES OF REFUGEES Delegates from 18 different countries listened to the harrowing story of a young refugee during an Anglican consultation on church responses to refugees and migrants in Germany. ‘Binyamin’ (not his real name) was just 15 years old, when he fled to Europe from Afghanistan to avoid being forced into jihadi confict. He explained how he spent the next eight years being bounced from one country to another, his asylum applications repeatedly rejected. ‘Binyamin’ shared his story at the consultation held in Cologne and hosted by the Church of England

CHURCHES TOGETHER BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Graffiti says ‘Refugees welcome in Piraeus’

Diocese in Europe, in collaboration with the Anglican Alliance and the Anglican mission agency USPG. Delegates heard how ‘Binyamin’ was eventually connected with a proper

asylum lawyer when he visited a church-based refugee centre and was given official status in just two weeks.

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

f e at u r e

The long road to peace… in Colombia

EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE BY CLARA VILLATORO GARY YIM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

After half a century of war and years of negotiations Colombians hoped that peace had come to their country at last after the government and FARC, Colombia’s Revolutionary Armed Forces, reached a peace agreement this summer. But within weeks of the agreement being signed a popular vote against it shocked the world and set back the process of peacemaking. The Episcopal Diocese of Colombia, alongside the rest of the religious community, has a vital role to play in reconciliation, as it tries to help prevent a return to the years of violence and instability. b y c l a r a v i l l ato ro

( e p i s c o pa l

news service)

“Peace is a fundamental right, and we have to rebuild it to guarantee a decent life [for people]” 6

“PEACE IS NOT only the silence of guns and bombs; peace is much more than that… It is rebuilding an entire social fabric that has been torn for more than 50 years. Peace is a fundamental right, and we have to rebuild it to guarantee a decent life [for people],” said the Bishop of Colombia, the Rt Revd Francisco Duque. The Colombian people have suffered decades of civil conflict on multiple fronts with the civilian population caught in the crossfire. The grinding war has resulted in suffering on a huge scale, with massacres, torture, assassinations, kidnapping, extortion and forced displacement. The UN estimates that more than six million people have been internally displaced by the fighting over the decades, with many now living in shanty towns. According to Bishop Francisco,

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although the church’s role in the peace process and support for the government was expressed more officially this year, its support for the people and communities has been present throughout the conflict. The areas most affected by the war are home to four Episcopal parishes, served by two priests and five seminarians. The Revd José Suárez is one of those priests. In 2008, he arrived with his wife and daughter in Palizada and El Bagre – a mountainous zone in northwest Colombia. His predecessor had retired from the parish following a breakdown after 15 years of pastoral service. “He was institutionalized for almost a year [and] the church helped him to get a pension afterward. He lived under a lot of pressure and threats. … I agreed to come here because I was

JASO1970 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Colombians campaign for peace

ordained for [serving] Jesus Christ and I go wherever they send me,” José said. José realized in his first days of pastoral work that he would need a great deal of spiritual strength to carry out his job. One day, while he was travelling to a community in a canoe with some parishioners, he came upon a body floating in the middle of the river. His immediate reaction was to retrieve the body, call the authorities, and say a prayer for the deceased. But the reaction of his companions was different. “They told me: ‘Father, don’t touch him. Let’s go. You don’t know what might happen if you take him out of the river. Here it’s better to keep quiet.’ Against all my beliefs, I had to listen to them; I just said a prayer as we continued on our way,” he recalled. The region where José works has many criminal groups. “Here you have to be careful about what you say and who you say it to. It’s almost impossible for a day to go by without someone being killed in the area.” Bishop Francisco recognises that José’s pastoral work is a service that requires a lot of courage and commitment. “We can’t give up preaching the Gospel or stop supporting our communities, regardless of the internal conflicts,” he said. “It’s up to us to work, with victims as well as with victimizers, and the church is ready to move forward. We’ve had parishioners massacred

JESS KRAFT / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

“As a church we see our role will be to reconcile brothers with such polarized opinions and to pursue building peace together”

and many [others] displaced.” With the church’s support, José has enabled the migration of families for security reasons, but this emigration has inevitably reduced the size of the religious community. “This is a mining area, very rich in metals; there’s a lot of gold extraction. with 50.2 per cent of the population But that doesn’t mean abundance voting against and only 49.8 per for the people. For different reasons cent supporting it. Although not people end up leaving,” said José, legally necessary, the president adding that the Episcopal community of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, in El Bagre, which used to have more believed a popular vote would than 100 people eight years ago, now lend legitimacy to the agreement. has only around 50, while in Palizada, The ‘no’ vote defied polls that had the congregation has only about 15. predicted overwhelming support, Looking to the future, José dares especially in areas most affected to dream of opportunities for people by conflict. “We’re still in shock,” to get ahead and have a decent life. Bishop Francisco said. “It was a vote “There are many needs in health, based on emotion, opinion. The education and housing. Rebuilding people who showed up to vote ‘no’ the lives of these people won’t be didn’t want to let anyone know their easy; but with spiritual and material opinion before so they wouldn’t be support a lot can be achieved, though judged, but when they went to the it will take many years,” he said. polls they expressed themselves.” The Episcopal Diocese of The Bishop indicated that the Colombia is one of seven dioceses reaffirmation of the ceasefire by that make up the Episcopal both sides following the ‘no’ vote Church’s ninth province, which was a hopeful sign. “The people covers Central and South America have had doubts about what the and the Caribbean. Last May the FARC will get [after the accord], Church offered the government its but all of us want an end to the facilities as, “spaces for exercises in war. As a church we see our role reconciliation to succeed in building a will be to reconcile brothers with sustainable peace.” Bishop Francisco such polarized opinions and to said the agreement in June was seen pursue building peace together,” he as an enormous step towards true said. Though, he added, the church peace. However, the referendum in recognises that the way forward will September rejected the peace deal not be easy.

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

p ro f i l e

A journey of reconciliation CHRIS COX, LAMBETH PALACE

Sarah Snyder steps into another’s shoes b y r ac h e l fa r m e r

PEACE AND RECONCILIATION have been the heartbeat of Canon Sarah Snyder’s life and work for the past 30 years. From handing out food aid in Bermuda, working in Cuzco, Peru and in slum communities of Khulna, Bangladesh, to sipping tea with border guards in Algeria, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s new Advisor for Reconciliation, has dedicated herself to praying and working for peace in each community she has encountered. Sarah, who is married to John and has four grown-up children, took up her new global role in September. She hopes to encourage and engage

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

broken communities to come together, ‘I see reconciliation as being the hands and feet of God to glorify him by modelling love of Him to our neighbours.’ Her first taste of poverty and inequality was while she was growing up in Bermuda where her father worked as a lawyer and was also a churchwarden. As a child, she joined her parents in giving out food parcels to those without enough to eat. ‘That early experience instilled a passion for justice and reconciliation that has never left me,’ she said. Sarah studied anthropology at Cambridge University, where she met John. She said, ‘Studying anthropology taught me to step into another’s shoes and walk a little of

their journey through their eyes, then also to see myself through their eyes, before getting back into my own comfortable shoes and continuing the journey, changed as a result. It’s a massive lesson I have brought to my reconciliation ministry.’ Sarah and John were members of The Round Church in Cambridge and shared a love of Africa, having both worked in Kenya and Sudan respectively during a time of severe famine. After university Sarah joined the BBC as a TV researcher and producer and it was from here she embarked on her next adventure. In 1989 the couple took sabbaticals from work to cross the

Sahara by themselves into Northern Mali in an old Land Rover. After an unnerving experience crossing the Algerian border, when they ended up drinking mint tea with the armed guards who had been demanding a bribe, they lived with the Tuareg tribes for more than a year. They produced a film for European schools, highlighting the richness of African culture and hospitality of nomadic life. They also helped mediate over the issue of forced settlement for the Tuareg nomads, helping others recognise their inter-dependence with the desert environment. Sarah said, ‘That was my first exposure to mediation and to Islam. We became deep friends with our Tuareg hosts, and witnessed Islam and the Muslim way of life from the inside. I left with a huge respect for Muslims – their prayer life and dedication to trying to live every aspect of their life for God has never left me.’ Sarah studied Christian theology and went on to complete further studies in Islamic theology and Muslim, Christian, Jewish relations at Cambridge, gaining a Masters, MPhil and embarking on a PhD. During the next few years she was involved in the start of Cambridge Inter Faith programme. She explained, ‘The programme tries to reconcile Jews, Christians and Muslims around their differences not looking for similarities – we call it better quality disagreement. In all our traditions we are deeply rooted, with differences that are important to us. In order to be reconciled we don’t need to seek agreement. What we need is to learn how to disagree better and in love. That is the most important thing, how to disagree in love. Too often when we’re faced with disagreement our response is to persuade the other that we are right, or to feel we’ve failed if the other turns out to be right. There is this vital middle ground that still recognises truth as truth, but leaves space for others whose understanding differs from our own. We need to learn to live and work with those who disagree with us, for the sake of our community and above all for God’s sake, I think.’ Sarah chairs the Bible think tank, the Jubilee Centre, based in Cambridge and is Vice Chair of

Sarah living with the Tuareg women in their nomadic tent in northern Mali

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, advocating on behalf of minority faith communities. In 2015 she was appointed Director of Partnerships for Religions for Peace based in New York, which is affiliated to the United Nations. The role helped strengthen the faith dimension in UN peace building and took her all over the world, working with men, women and religious leaders to help build bridges between faith communities in conflict. Looking ahead to her new role at Lambeth Palace in London, she said she had two overriding priorities. ‘One is equipping the next generation to be reconcilers. We need to value the young people in our communities. I really feel that because I’ve got four of them! And to recognise their deep desire for peace rather than label young people as a problem. The second need is to resource the local church in every country to work for reconciliation, while also acknowledging the overwhelming suffering of so many. This is no easy challenge.’ As a lay canon of Coventry Cathedral Sarah will be working closely with the Cathedral and their reconciliation advisor Canon Sarah Hills. Sarah Snyder said, ‘We want to work very closely with the Cross of Nails network which is international, and to develop a programme of companions and advisers to support Anglicans in conflict zones.’ Taking over global reconciliation from David Porter, who will continue to lead the Shared Conversations around sexuality, Sarah said, ‘We are a tiny team, but shall be focusing on countries experiencing conflict or in post conflict recovery. We’d

SARAH SNYDER

“We need to learn to live and work with those who disagree with us, for the sake of our community and above all for God’s sake” love to hear where Anglicans are on the front line transforming conflict or supporting those in post conflict recovery… because this is such a big issue we have to work together – we can’t do it alone.’ Seeing reconciliation at work continues to inspire Sarah. She said, ‘One of the most profound examples of change I’ve seen was while I was directing a Cambridge summer school for faith leaders from conflict zones. Members of the Israeli armed forces and Palestinian Christians and Muslims were all listening to one another’s narratives of suffering and realizing the depth of suffering on both sides. This was followed by laughter over a game of football, after which, one of the Palestinians said, “I never knew Israelis smiled.” They had never had opportunity to meet Israelis over meals and share leisure time, let alone learn about one another in small group settings. All those participants went back to their jobs changed people and started cross-border initiatives, including in the Palestinian West Bank bringing together Christian and Muslim scouts for the very first time – but there are thousands more examples.’ To contact Sarah Snyder email: sarah. snyder@lambethpalace.org.uk

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

p ro f i l e

Bishop to Bishop …working together for peace

ACO

ANGLICAN AND ROMAN Catholic bishops from around the world came together for a week in Canterbury and Rome to celebrate the deepening relationship between their traditions over the past 50 years. The two traditions have come a long way from the past conflicts over many centuries. The establishment of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the birth of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) signaled the start of a new era of engagement and dialogue between the two traditions. This September, the extraordinary summit of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) was described as ‘a new kind of ecumenism driven by mission.’ Co chair of IARCCUM, the Suffragan Bishop in Europe, the Rt Revd David Hamid, said, ‘It has been a source of deep joy to all the bishops gathered from all over the world, who have shared their experiences, their challenges and their wisdom. Strong friendships have formed… In our discussions, we did not shy away from the difficulties we sometimes face. But the possibilities for our two traditions working together in a needy world are abundant and promising.’ Two of those who took part were Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lahore, and the Anglican Bishop of Sialkot , the Rt Revd Alwin Samuel. They talked to the Anglican Communion’s Director for Communications, Adrian Butcher, about reconciliation and why it is such an important part of their role in Pakistan…

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

What does it mean to be a bishop in Pakistan and what particular challenges do you face? Archbishop Sebastian: It is a big challenge because we live in a very pluralistic society. Our population is 190 million with 95% Muslim and 2.8% Christians. Since September 11 we were challenged about how to live as Pakistani Christians in Pakistan because many people interpreted being Christians as being allies to the UK, Europe or America. So they started attacking our churches and institutions. Even today, this is still a big problem. We tried hard to find solutions. One of the main solutions is interfaith dialogue. In this way we came to one table and we shared our joy and also our worries with the bigger community. And the bigger community was also a bit afraid of us because they interpreted that dialogue as a foreign agenda to convert Muslims. But we said, the aim is not to convert, the aim is to listen to one another – asking them ‘What do you believe?’ So in this way we learnt from one another about the faith and belief of other people. We agreed we would not talk about dogmatic items but we started thinking about what we had in common – what the common ground is – what brings us hope for a harmonious society. So in this way we started coming together, talking and sharing. Then

there was no debate and no discussion. We as bishops have to be salt and light for the world so we become a symbol of unity. It is a big effort. Bishop Alwin: We have to serve the Christian community and secondly, we are seen as a symbol of Christianity by the Muslim majority. As a bishop I have to be part of the vital interfaith dialogue and, in some cases, to initiate that dialogue. We are very respected by the majority, Muslim, community – the sunnis and the shias. The greatest challenge is to be a witness to the majority community. Pakistan is an Islamic country and we feel we have a particular purpose to be there. In order to fulfill that responsibility, we have to work hard and we have to continue making efforts to build peace in areas where there is antipathy between Muslims and minorities – including Christians. Was there a formal structure to this? Archbishop Sebastian: It was done in a structured and systematic way. We met some imams and Islamic scholars along with Hindu and Sikh leaders too. Bishop Alwin: The Roman Catholic Church has played a very important part in building up relationships with other faiths, particularly with Muslims. The Church of Pakistan has been following that up. There are occasions when we meet imams. I remember one incident when 12 imams and priests from the Church in Pakistan lived together – even shared rooms – for a week. That was quite an experience and that has changed the attitude and reactions of many people. What about reconciliation in the future? Archbishop Sebastian: One problem is to identify the matter and find a solution. In the remote areas, where there is more or less no education, people live with a very ghetto mentality. In that area, Christians who go to school are discriminated against and persecuted – for example, they cannot drink water from the same glass (as muslims). And there is a big problem with hate material in text books. In some books,

ACO

Anglican & Roman Catholic bishops gathered in Canterbury

minority students are considered lower… like a lesser human being… they are described as ‘infidels’. We are talking to the government about this again and again. So if there are three Christian students in a class of 30, they will read in the text book that they are infidels. If they are reading this in their text books, how can we have a harmonious society? The solution is interfaith dialogue. We try to make imams and Islamic scholars see what needs to be changed. Bishop Alwin: The imams and the scholars are receptive but reconciliation is an ongoing process. You cannot achieve your targets in six months or a year. Reconciliation is required in Pakistan on all levels - even among Christian denominations as well as between people of different faiths and creeds. There is progress though. With technology people can find interfaith groups outside Pakistan, but it is a never-ending job and it is an ongoing process to build reconciliation and build peace. Where have the Anglicans and Catholics been working together? Archbishop Sebastian: For the last five years at least, I have been working very closely with the Anglican church in Lahore. I have a very good relationship with my fellow bishops. We don’t just talk when we have a problem, we talk about the things we can do together – such as mission and unity. And this is growing. The more we understand each other, the more we can help each other. We support not only the faith element but also the social element of the

work. For example, the government wanted to build a railway line in Lahore – the Orange Line – which meant some parts of the Anglican church would have been knocked down. So we supported the Anglican church, we stood together against the government and made a joint statement. (It went to court) And now the plan has been changed. Bishop Alwin: Working together is on the increase. There are more and more projects and partnerships… more cooperation between the clergy. There was a time when there was antipathy between Anglicans and Catholics but that has changed. There are now steps towards harmony which is very positive and pleasing. The Orange Line is a good example. It was a time when we needed to work together and we did. What is your “take home message” from IARCCUM summit on pilgrimage? Bishop Alwin: I have been deeply moved by it - to see a Roman Catholic celebrating the Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral – that was just a miracle. We will be taking concrete steps towards unity and working together even more because we have the same mission. So perhaps we will exchange pulpits – Catholics preaching in Anglican churches and Anglicans in Catholic ones. Archbishop Sebastian: And we will be joining together for a week of mission in January 2017. It is a week of prayer for Christian unity.

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world view

The Communion at a glance EUROPE Around 2,500 Mothers’ Union members took part in services at Winchester Cathedral to mark the 140th Anniversary of the organisation. The second service was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The celebration services took place in Winchester Diocese as the movement was founded there in 1876 by Mary Sumner. Today, Mothers’ Union continues to promote the role of mothers as a catalyst for positive change in communities across the world. Queen Elizabeth II, the Patron of Mothers’ Union, expressed her best wishes for the “continuing success of a charity that has given

hope and strength to so many”. The Mary Sumner Choir from Zambia travelled to attend and sing at both services, and they were joined by fellow members from all over the world. Mothers’ Union continues to campaign for women’s rights and in particular, for gender equality – in relationships, in communities and cultures – and how this is reflected in national law and attitude. It campaigns against abuse and violence against women and girls in over 80 countries.

DOMINIC PARKES, COURTESY OF MOTHERS’ UNION

(ENS) /GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION

AMERICA The buzzing around Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance, Arizona, isn’t just from all the projects the congregation has taken on – although there are quite a few, from the organic garden to a soap-making business. This past summer the mission added bees to the sustainability mix. ‘We’ve got a lot of stuff going on,’ said Paula Elmore, the mission’s lead gardener and one of the people overseeing the fledgling beekeeping operations at Episcopal missions on the Navajo reservation. The congregations have named the project ‘Bees Bring Hozho to Navajoland’; ‘hozho’ means harmony in one’s relationship with nature. In their application for funds the church stated that they believed the church must honour God’s creation by stewarding Earth’s precious resources. Vicar, the Revd Cynthia Hizer said, ‘In a way, being stewards of precious resources means adapting to the environment and working with what you have.’

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

AMERICAS Five young women are beginning a year-long monastic journey as part of a new Companions on the Way programme. They were commissioned earlier this month by the Coadjutor Bishop of Huron, Linda Nicholls, and will spend the next 12 months living alongside members of the Sisterhood of St John the Divine (SSJD) at their convent in Toronto, Ontario. During the programme, the new Companions

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA

will share the daily rhythm of the sisters’ life by engaging in regular prayer, Bible reading, and reflection; focusing on study and work projects; and contributing to a monastic community rooted in spiritual growth and transformation. Three of the women are Anglicans, one is a Roman Catholic and the fifth was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church.

AFRICA Celebrations were held Africanstyle for the installations of three new archbishops over the past few months. The first was in Nairobi where thousands of colourfully dressed Anglicans attended the enthronement of their new archbishop, the Most Revd Dr Jackson Ole Sapit at the All Saints Cathedral (pictured right with the President of Kenya). Archbishop Ole Sapit became the 6th archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) and the 4th Bishop of All Saints Cathedral Diocese. In

August the new Archbishop of Burundi, the Most Revd Martin Blaise Nyaboho, was installed at a service in Bujumbura’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. Archbishop Nyaboho was elected as the as the fourth primate of the province. During the service, Archbishop Bernard said the growth of the Anglican Church of Burundi was due to Christians working together with God. In September the new Archbishop of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo – the Anglican Church in the Congo was installed. Archbishop Masimango

ACO

Katanda, the Bishop of Kindu, succeeded Archbishop Henri Isingoma. St Paul’s and St Peter’s Church in Kinshasa was full to capacity for the service; which was relayed on television screens for the large crowd outside.

ASIA

CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA

Young people from the Church of South India (CSI) created a 60 metre banner on the theme of love, peace and justice at a special youth festival in Chennai. Director of Communications of the CSI Synod, the Revd Sunil Raj Philip, said the aim was to enable young people to creatively express themselves through art. He said they were encouraged to express their faith and their concerns through their imaginations using brushes and paints. The Revd J. Solomon Paul came up with the art project which also included mentoring for the young people by professional artists Yesudas PM and Sabu. The artwork will go on permanent display in the Synod office in Chennai.

OCEANIA

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF MELANESIA

An Anglican-run clinic on the island of Big Ngella in the Central Solomons has turned to the sun to solve a problem of the lights going out at night. A new one-kilowatt solar power unit has been installed on the roof of Saint Clare’s Clinic. The photovoltaic cells will provide enough power to also keep the medicine fridges running – and will

provide power 24-hours a day. St Clare’s Clinic serves 4,000 people living in four big and 15 small villages on the island. With access to 24-hour refrigeration, the clinic is now able to store its own medicines rather than having to shuttle supplies in from the hospital on the nearby island of Tulagi.

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f e at u r e

‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ …especially the women HOW DO YOU solve an argument? Shout and scream or sit in the corner and sulk? Or perhaps you sit down and try to work things out calmly over a cup of tea or a meal? Resolving disputes and finding peaceable ways to tackle disagreements is part of life. For some it can be a matter of life and death writes Rachel Farmer. Around the world men and women are involved in peacemaking and reconciliation and the church often plays a significant role in bringing warring sides together. Although both sexes have a part to play, according to recent research, if women are involved in the process it is more likely to work, and stay working. A report last year from the International Peace Institute, called Reimagining Peacemaking: Women’s Roles in Peace Processes,

found that women had a vital role to play in the peacemaking process, but more importantly, when women were involved an agreement was more likely to be reached and it was also more likely to last longer. The Archbishop’s new reconciliation adviser, Canon Sarah Snyder has seen this first hand in her former role as Director of Partnerships at Religions for Peace in New York. One of the areas she was involved in was training women in the church as peace builders in Nigeria, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Kenya. She said, ‘Women are often seen as the victims of violence, which they are, but they are also on the front line of peace building. They are often the first to notice changes of behaviour in their families and community and the first to be willing to cross lines

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

MU leaders at the forefront of building communities MOTHERS’ UNION

of violence.’ Members of the Anglican Church and the Mothers’ Union (MU) in the Solomon Islands have many stories of how women play a key role in reconciliation. Anglican Alliance Facilitator for the Pacific, Tagolyn Kabekabe, says in the matriarchal society of the Pacific Islands women command respect and their maternal instincts make them seek and negotiate peace, whatever the cost. She recalls how her mother resolved a family dispute over borders in her village with superb negotiating skills. ‘It happened that my uncle (my mum’s cousin) changed the demarcation boundaries to our gardening land without notice to the rest of the tribe, and especially my mum who owned the land.’ She explained. ‘My young brother found out and very quietly told

our mum what had happened. She, with great humility called her younger sister, two cousin sisters and my uncle’s wife and they visited the site of the boundary to confirm the change. When she returned to the village she invited her cousin’s brother, the local church pastor, the community chief, tribal leaders, including men and women, the local women’s fellowship group leaders and youth leaders for breakfast the next morning. Then she cooked a feast for them all. The next morning she spent a few minutes briefing each and every one of them about the invitation to breakfast. She then nominated the church pastor, as a neutral nonrelative, to be the spokesperson. She and her younger sister welcomed everyone and morning prayers were said, followed by grace for the food, then everyone ate their fill. The pastor introduced the purpose of the breakfast and asked my mum to speak. She explained the situation, talking about their inheritance and boundaries and then straight to the point she asked her cousin why he had changed the boundaries without notice. This was a disrespectful thing to do as an individual because land is distributed in the presence of the tribe. He responded by apologizing for taking up everyone’s time and explained that he was short of gardening land and if he had asked for more land, he would have been given land further away from the village, so he had changed the boundary. The community chief then scolded him for being greedy with the support of everyone present. He was asked to pay compensation to our tribe and

MOTHERS’ UNION

MU members’ workshop in Myanmar

MOTHERS’ UNION

MU members discuss peacemaking

“When women were involved an agreement was more likely to be reached and it was also more likely to last longer” the community chief and leaders – compensation is a minimal sum of money that he paid the leaders with traditional ‘shell money’ to his tribe to show remorse. Then a chosen party amongst those present together with my uncle and mum, and I were invited to follow them to the garden and they corrected the boundary. A special plant [croton] was planted to mark the return to the original boundary witnessed by all present. We all shook hands, prayed for discernment and peace and returned to our respective homes.’ Regional Development Manager at the Mothers’ Union in London, Johanna Fadipe, said the MU have a prized place in many communities and can bring peace about because of their respected position. ‘Women hold soft power,’ she explained. ‘The MU president in the Congo, Marthe Balesima, is married to the local MP and they have both been influential in seeking peace in their area after terrible violence, including machete attacks.’ Other members of the Mothers’ Union in the Solomon Islands talked about how members had resolved problems in their communities. Eunice Maelagi

found herself being an agent for peace as she approached one of her peers where lack of understanding and gossip was destroying their working relationship. They made peace with each other and she saw herself as the agent of peace in this situation. ‘Humility in all situations can help to reduce violence or conflict,’ another member, Muriel Malefoasi, said. ‘In my own family situation I have been humble even though my husband was in the wrong. I practised saying ‘sorry’ to him in the thick of the situation that actually diffused what could have become violent. I do believe in peace and harmony and always think of our children and my love for my husband.’ Sarah Snyder said, ‘We need to stand alongside women in their suffering but we also need to recognize and stand with them in the front line. They have a moral influence that allows them to sensitively address growing anger and shift into non violent forms of expression.’ She acknowledged that both men and women join extremist organisations – sometimes pushed, sometimes voluntarily – but she believes the vast majority of women are driven by a peace agenda. On a recent visit to Jordan she saw women actively involved in peace building. ‘In Al Zataari refugee camp on the Syrian Jordanian border – where 80 per cent are women and children – every day women are a voice for peace in that place. They have been raped, beaten and lost their families and yet they are telling their children not to resort to violence. These women are peacemakers in the face of violence.’

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a n g l i c a n yo u t h

Arkan students explore creative arts together

ARKAN CENTRE

Reconciliation through art

ARKAN CENTRE

Arkan students join in drama

FIVE YEARS AGO a cultural centre opened in the heart of Egypt’s second city, Alexandria. Its aim was to draw together young people of different faiths and enable them to build bridges through the creative arts. Arkan Centre founder and director, Nader Wanis, who is a member of the city’s St Mark’s Anglican/ Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, has been amazed by the success of the project. ‘We have attracted thousands of young Muslims and Christians with the blessing of leaders from both faiths,’ Nader explained. ‘Each year 800–1000 students graduate in art, media and technology. We have been so successful other countries are now even beginning to clone the idea.’ The centre is run in the classrooms and grounds of St Mark’s Pro-Cathedral, part of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt. ‘Arkan’, which means ‘corners’ in Arabic, is bringing Christians and Muslims, conservative and liberal, from the far corners of Egypt’s divided society into the centre. In the centre, artistic expression opens up forums for discussion that invite students to see new perspectives and ideas and offer a quiet challenge to intolerant

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

“We see bridges of peace and friendship gradually replacing walls of intolerance and fear” attitudes. Nader explained, ‘As the lives of young people from many different backgrounds intersect, we see bridges of peace and friendship gradually replacing walls of intolerance and fear.’ Rather than coming together with their differences, Muslims and Christians come together with art as their common ground, as they study acting, graphics, photography, painting, writing, calligraphy, peacemaking, short films, documentaries, as well as interview skills, democracy and human rights. Democracy is a new concept for many in Egypt and people are still learning to find their voice. The Arkan Centre is enabling people to speak out through art and to engage with people who are different from themselves. The Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Revd Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata, said, ‘We thank God for the cultural centre and its team.

“We are the only church in the country that doesn’t search Muslims when they come to the door – if you go to any other church you will be searched by the police.” Æ

Arkan’s vision is to help all the youth to develop their gifts and to find a better future for a better Egypt.’ According to Nader interreligious tension has increased in the last few years leading to sectarian violence including the burning of churches and numerous violent clashes. There is often a relational divide between Christians and Muslims and misunderstandings and ignorance abound on both sides. Nader said, ‘Opening the doors of the Arkan Centre for art and cultural activities provides a common ground and meeting place for all people. Alexandria is a source of all Wahhabi ideas and Islamic terrorism came out from the city, so it is really miraculous that total freedom and total connection between both sides is happening here in the same city.’ When the concept of the centre was proposed, the organisers were told it would never work. Nader said, ‘A church opening its doors to Muslims and Christians to come together does not happen here. We are dealing with the grass roots poor areas and this has never happened before. All the dialogue between Christians and Muslims happened between the elite in their offices, never in the streets, it was always between leaders in offices and at conferences. But we are in the streets of the city – this is where the art and creativity happens. They told us we would be killed the second day we opened, if Muslims came inside the church. They said we would be burned or killed or shot. Now we have been running over five years and we are the only church in the country that doesn’t search Muslims when they

Reconciliation & Mission RECONCILIATION AND MISSION will be the theme for the first intercontinental ‘writingfor-publication-conference’ of the Mission Theology in the Anglican Communion project sponsored by St George’s College, Jerusalem and to be held there, 23–31 March 2017. The general editor of the series is Bishop Graham Kings, Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion and Honorary Fellow of Durham University. He said, ‘The theme of ‘Reconciliation and Mission’, is crucial throughout the world and, in particular, in the Middle East today. Twelve theologians from the global South will prepare a book for the new SPCK series Anglican Theologies: African, Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American and contextual visits are also being arranged by the Dean of the College, Canon Dr Gregory Jenks.’ Four continental editors and Bishop Graham Kings will compile the 12 chapters. The editors will include:

come to the door – if you go to any other church you will be searched by the police.’ Because of ‘the walls between us’ Nadar said there were all kinds of wild rumours and negative ideas about Christianity. ‘Now literally hundreds come to our Cathedral weekly in peace, learning, having fun, showing their talents, watching Christians. Now they are the ones asking about our life, our Christianity,’ he said. The centre offers a safe space for people of different faiths and was increasingly popular. ‘Now we are not making any more efforts to invite city youth or organisations to Arkan,’ he said. ‘They are coming to us asking how to join.’ Arkan has hosted many

• Lydia Mwaniki, Director of Theology for the All African Council of Churches, Nairobi • Muthuraj Swamy, head of the Department of Christian Theology and Ethics at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India • Samy Shehata, Principal of the Alexandria School of Theology • Joanildo Burity, Professor at the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation, Recife, Brazil. Bishop Graham explained. ‘The chapters will be written and circulated beforehand to participants, then presented, responded to and revised during the conference. During the last session, and just before the final Eucharist, they will be published on the website of the project www.missiontheologyanglican. org for further discussion worldwide.’ This is the first of three intercontinental conferences, in different locations, planned by the project to be theological resources for the Lambeth Conference in 2020. The theme in 2018 will be ‘Evangelism and Witness’ and in 2019 ‘Prayer and Mission’.

cultural events from talent shows to art exhibitions and drama performances. Nader said their programme is also satisfying a spiritual curiosity, ‘Many Muslim youth are tired of the hatred that has been fed to them,’ he said. ‘Through foreign TV and internet channels they see the Christian world, but have never been in touch with the Christian community. Arkan gives them that chance.’ He now hopes that the centre will be able to develop to offer further training in media and the visual arts. He believes they have created a model for the future which other places are now starting to copy and his hope is that more ‘churches without walls’ will spring up across the world.

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f e at u r e

South Sudan prays for peace

‘the Church is our only hope’ b y r ac h e l fa r m e r

THE HOUSE THAT Bishop Henry Garang Deng calls ‘home’ is now an empty shell, everything inside has gone. His precious library has been dismantled and furniture carted off or left in the surrounding streets. The church has also been emptied and people are frightened to travel about for fear of being killed. Henry is Bishop of Malakal in Jonglei state. This was what he discovered a few months ago on his last visit to his diocese in South Sudan where the

“The church is the element holding the country together; without the church this country will not hold”

fighting between rebel groups and the army has left the area in chaos. ‘The community has been completely divided by the current fighting and even the church has been split,’ he said. ‘All the churches have been looted and all the documents inside have been burned, there is nothing left. The rebels and the army took everything and what they were not able to take they would just destroy. Many of the congregation have fled and are now living in refugee camps.’ Bishop Henry’s own family are living in Uganda and it is still not safe enough for him to return to his home or his church in Malakal. He blames the root of the problem on politics and says the government has not organised itself as an institution that can help reconcile and rebuild the nation. ‘It seems to be afraid of competition from the church, fearing it is trying to rival the government,’ he said. ‘The government started this division which has affected the tribes and even made a crack in the

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

Church members in Kajo-Keji, South Sudan BISHOP GRAHAM KINGS

BISHOP GRAHAM KINGS

Bishop Henry Garang Deng

church. We should not be in this position. The level of illiteracy is very high in the country, so people don’t understand what is happening, but the church can help.’ Bishop Henry has seen widespread suffering over the years of war in his country, but still believes there is hope. After opposition leader Riek Machar was appointed as vice-president alongside his rival,

President Salva Kiir, many saw this as a crucial step towards unity and stable government. The country’s civil war has killed tens of thousands and left 5.1 million people needing humanitarian assistance. He hopes the country is moving towards a solution but urges prayers for peace. ‘The church is the element holding the country together; without the church this country will not hold… Christians have not been given a chance, they are confused and most of them are displaced and are refugees. But the Church is our only hope and the one thing that will bring us together is actually the Gospel.’ He said the Church had now begun to work in the refugee camps with people. “We have been focusing on the word of God which always unites us. People pray and pray. We believe the Church has to go back to prayer and this is the way we will find a solution.”

CREIT

JOSEPH BILAL

Peace building conferences in South Sudan

Bishop Henry is currently visiting the UK as one of the theologians for Mission Theology in the Anglican Communion. During his sabbatical he will be based at Ridley Hall, Cambridge until December 2016. He will also be taking part in the ‘Reconciliation and Mission’ conference in Jerusalem in March 2017 (see page 17 for details).

Young Anglicans in Kajo-Keji BISHOP GRAHAM KINGS

Practical peace building ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE in peace-building is just one of the ways that South Sudanese priest Joseph Bilal hopes to see lasting change in his war-torn country. Joseph is a project manager for the Episcopal University in Juba and a priest at All Saints Cathedral in the city. He is a member of the board of the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS). The aim of the Commission is to take peace into the grass roots of South Sudan and engage society in reconciliation, peace-building and healing. He said, ‘We have been talking with community and faith leaders and bringing together people from different ethnic backgrounds. We’ve been asking them to talk about the problems they are facing, what is causing conflict and what are the good things, the common things that help with dialogue. They have also talked about the atrocities they have had to bear… we have begun to look at how we can work together to eliminate these and to build a united society.’ Joseph said the church had been involved in bringing rival ethnic groups together including Dinka and Nuer tribes people in the Diocese of Duk, where there had been widespread violence. He explained, ‘We brought them together to help them look at how to build peace. We are basing so much on the Bible. We say God created them all to love one another and then we look at how we can, asking what are the negative and the positive things they face. In the end we found that the negative things are very, very small, and the positive are very many. We asked, why don’t you look at the positive ones rather than the negative? These people were able to forgive one another and they

were able to say, “let JOSEPH BILAL us move on Joseph Bilal from here”.’ The same programme of reconciliation was rolled out in other areas. The Church has also been working with young people, bringing them together for conferences and teaching. Joseph said, ‘We want to teach them to become peace builders; to see them building up our country, not being used to destroy it. I have to remain optimistic; I know that God has brought us a long way. Our people have been so traumatized over a long time. We have come through a lot of horrendous things, learning how to live together. Whenever something happens, it is like a revolving door, so we go back into conflict again. We need to work very hard to steer our country away from the negative narrative and to change the negative language.’ The Episcopal Church has also brought together key leaders in the country for intellectual forums between MPs, government ministers, academics, army generals and police. More than 60 representatives met and were encouraged by the church leaders to examine how Christian values could be applied to building peace in the country. Joseph said, ‘They gave us a wealth of information about what is going on and they said we need to engage them more. For the first time they saw that the Church had a role to play in bringing them together and helping them makes reforms and changes so that the country can be governed peacefully. People have hope in the Church, because they know when the Church does something it does have an impact.’

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f e at u r e

Fanning the embers of heritage – from Bishop Chris McLeod’s ordination at St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide in April 2015. STORIES WELL TOLD

Two communities Two perspectives

Can an Aboriginal Australian bishop help reconcile both sides? MOST PEOPLE DON’T realise how difficult it is to be Aboriginal in Australia, says the Rt Revd Chris McLeod, an assistant bishop with special responsibility for ministry alongside Aboriginal people in South Australia. Bishop Chris is a Gurindji man and sees himself as part of the ‘Stolen Generation’ of Aborigines. When he took up his new role 18 months ago he became the first Aboriginal bishop for South Australia. ‘Very few take seriously the history of colonialism in relation to the past and present problems experienced by Aboriginal people,’ he said. ‘These problems include loss of land, loss of culture and identity, high rates of imprisonment, substance abuse, high morbidity rates, and poor overall health. Very few non-Aboriginal Australians are willing to recognise the destruction to the people, land and culture that colonialism has brought. There was

great bloodshed, war, and slaughter in the conquest of Australia. Racism is very much still alive and well in Australia.’ Bishop Chris’ mother and grandmother were from central Australia. They were members of the so called ‘Stolen Generation’ – victims of the policy of assimilation that took Aboriginal babies and children from their families to be raised as second-class white people. He said his mother suffered from losing her own mother at a young age and being moved around to different institutions, which led to the loss of her culture, identity and language. He said she lived with an underlying fear of white people, always frightened that something terrible was going to happen to her family. ‘I can see that my sister and I grew up feeling very unsure about ourselves and our place in the

anglican world issue 143 december 2016

STORIES WELL TOLD

world,’ he said. He described it as being caught between two worlds and belonging to neither. These feelings led him on a journey to rediscover his past and his Aboriginal heritage. ‘I’ve been talking to other people who are

Beside the Todd River, Alice Springs around 1943. Chris McLeod’s grandmother Precilla ‘Dolly’ Brown is left his mother is right. This is the only photo Chris has of his grandmother who died of TB shortly after this shot was taken.

“I felt like all my past experience was necessary training for this new role. It is a great privilege to serve God, the Aboriginal people, and the Church in this way” Æ

sons and daughters of the ‘Stolen Generation’ and hearing their own journeys of self discovery. I really feel that was the beginning of my healing process.’ The Bishop was brought up in the Anglican Church. He said, ‘My mother was fervently Anglican. I drifted away from the Church in my teenage years, but came back to faith when I met my wife, Susan.’ It was at her lively Baptist church that he had a conversion experience and then came back to the Anglican Church. He was confirmed at 21 and found himself training for ordination when he was 23 years of age. ‘I felt then, and now, that it was a strong call from God. I have served in specialist and pastoral ministry, including ministry with Aboriginal people and prison chaplaincy, in city, urban and rural congregations.’ Bishop Chris said he felt honoured to be called to be a bishop. ‘It wasn’t something that I expected, and I was happy in ministry in the seaside parish of Brighton in the Diocese of Adelaide… I felt like all my past experience was necessary training for this new role. It is a great privilege to serve God, the Aboriginal people, and the Church in this way.’

CREDIT

According to Bishop Chris, Aboriginal people still struggle for recognition. ‘They struggle to be heard, and listened to, seriously by government, church, and the general community. This is particularly so when it comes to development and use of traditional Aboriginal lands.’ On the other side of this, he said many Aboriginal people are achieving great things in the area of education, the arts, music, and sport. ‘There is a great rediscovery of Aboriginal culture by younger Aboriginal people, and older people passing onto the younger generation the riches of their tradition. There are a great many signs of hope and future,’ he said. The Church has sought to encourage Aboriginal people in a number of ways. The Bishop said, ‘Many Anglicans have long joined in the battle for recognition and justice for Aboriginal people. The Anglican Church of Australia established the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Anglican Council to be a voice for Aboriginal Anglicans in the Church and a body of advice to the wider Church.’ The Church has also established the positions of National Aboriginal Bishop, currently held by Bishop Chris, and the National Torres Strait Islander Bishop, formerly the Rt Revd Sabo Mabo. Over the last two decades there has been an increasing number of Aboriginal people ordained into the leadership of the Church; serving both Aboriginal communities and traditional Anglican parishes. He said, ‘It is becoming more common to find people of Aboriginal

descent in charge of urban and city congregations: which is a wonderful thing. I find many Anglicans are encouraging of Aboriginal people. Racism sadly is present within the Church. We still have some way to go to reach a stage where Aboriginal people have a greater influence in church and community.’ Looking at reconciliation, he said, ‘I think we are still away off before we reach reconciliation. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia are still in many ways two separate communities. Sadly, most Australians wouldn’t count too many Aboriginal people amongst their circle of friends. This is partly due to the fact that Aboriginal Australians only make up roughly 3% of the Australian population. The chance to meet is limited. However, there is strong push by some sections of society to ignore Aboriginal opinions and concerns.’ Bishop Chris hopes his broad experience and mixed descent will help contribute to building reconciliation between the two communities. ‘I have had to be reconciled with my own intercultural identity. I can, like many others, see what the world looks like from different cultural vantage points and help people to hear the voice of the other. I am a strong believer in the grace of God and that true reconciliation comes as a gift when we are able to see that we are all made in the image of God. Reconciliation is our core business, with God and each other, as Christians, and a bishop is instrumental in leading, and modelling, this.’

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the last word

Miracles in Canterbury by john gibaut

THE GREATEST CHALLENGE to the ecumenical movement in general, and to the Anglican-Roman Catholic relationship in particular, is its success. The ecumenical movement has been so successful, that most of us have no memory of the pre-ecumenical climate that existed even in some of our own lifetimes. Happily, most of us have no memory of the poisonous state of Anglican-Roman Catholic relations prior to 1966, when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsey, visited Pope Paul VI in Rome. This was the visit in which Pope Paul VI took off his papal ring and put it on the episcopal ring finger of the Archbishop. This was the visit that launched the AnglicanRoman Catholic International Commission—ARCIC—to restore unity between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. This visit created the Anglican Centre in Rome. Renewed global relationships between Roman Catholics stemmed from all of these initiatives. Part of the success of this renewed relationship is taking it for granted, or only taking note of where the Anglican-Roman Catholic glass is not full enough, with frustration on both sides –

“few people in the 1960s could have imagined that ARCIC would have resolved so many church dividing issues...” that there are still obstacles that keep us from full communion with each other. It may be helpful to remember that few people in the 1960s could have imagined that ARCIC would have resolved so many churchdividing issues, or that IARCCUM— the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission—would exist, let alone have convened 19 pairs of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops from around the world (mostly from the global south) to meet in Canterbury and Rome to engage one another in mission and practical theology. Who would have believed that Roman Catholic bishops would have concelebrated the Eucharist in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral one day, and that on the next a Roman Catholic archbishop would have preached at the main Sunday Eucharist in the cathedral? Who would have believed that the next week in Rome, an Anglican bishop

anglican world issue 143 141 DECEMBER may 2016 2016

from the Solomon Islands would have celebrated the Eucharist, with a Pakistani Anglican bishop preaching, surrounded by IARCCUM bishops in the church of St Paul’s Outside-the-Walls? Who would have believed that when the primates met in Canterbury at the beginning of 2016, that the Catholic Church would have sent the head of the crozier of St Gregory the Great to a Primates’ Meeting as a sign of prayer and support for the Anglican Communion at such a critical point? Who would have believed that later in this year Pope Francis would have given a replica of this very crozier head to Archbishop Justin, who in turn would have give his own pectoral cross to the Pope? And yet, these things did happen. They are vivid signs and wonders of the degree to which Anglicans and Roman Catholics around the world met each other again for the first time when Archbishop Michael and Pope Paul VI met each other fifty years ago. The events in Rome in 1966 and in Canterbury and Rome in 2016 are simply miraculous. They defy history, leaving us full of hope and wonder for what God has in store for us next. Dr John Gibaut is the Anglican Communion’s Director for Unity, Faith and Order and a Co-Secretary of IARCCUM.

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