wfn.org | [ACNS] Anglican Digest 14 February, 2005

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The following is a compilation of the recent stories added to the ACNS
digest, with stories from Burundi, Canada, Sri Lanka, England, the US,
Australia, New Zealand and Nigeria.

(318) 15-February-2005 - Visit Explores Partnerships on HIV/AIDS,
Microcredits - Burundi

>From the Episcopal Church of Burundi

14 February, 2005

[EEB Press - Burundi ] Janette O'Neill from ECUSA's department of
Emergency, Relief and Development (Episcopal Church of the United States of
America ERD) recently visited all the dioceses to evaluate the work of
associations working to confront HIV/AIDS, with a view to future support
and funding of such schemes as micro-credits.

She provided helpful input to a seminar on micro credit schemes, especially
ways of monitoring them. We look forward to developing our partnership with
ERD in the future.

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=318&pos=#318

(317) 15-February-2005 - Sympathy to Archbishop Ndayisenga - Burundi

>From the Episcopal Church of Burundi

14 February, 2005 [EEB Press]

The Province of the Episcopal Church of Burundi extends its deepest
sympathy to Archbishop Samuel Ndayisenga and his wife, Joy, following the
death of their daughter, Fredence, on 6th February 2005. Our prayers are
with them and all the family as they mourn. Fredence was fully involved in
many aspects of Church life, including the cathedral choir in Bujumbura,
and was an active member of the staff of the National Council of Churches
(CNEB).

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=317&pos=#317

(

316) 15-February-2005 - Bishop Riah Educational Campus new web site -
Middle East

The Bishop Riah Abu el-Essal (the Bishop in Jerusalem) Educational Campus
in Nazareth has a new web site. It can be found here:

www.bishopriah-hs.org

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=316&pos=#316

(315) 14-February-2005 - Primate describes Lenten journey - Canada

14 February

What are the things that Christians should look for as they begin their
Lenten journey towards Easter? Is there more to Lent that the traditional
notion of "giving something up?" What does Scripture say?
In a new segment of the webcast +Andrew: Conversations with the Primate,
the Most Revd Andrew Hutchison, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada,
reflects on what Lent - the 40 days before Christianity's holiest day -
should really mean to church members.

The Primate's reflection will be posted to the General Synod website,
www.anglican.ca, at 10 am Eastern Time on Tuesday 15 February. The webcasts
can be viewed or downloaded at people's convenience.

Conversations with the Primate is a series of webcasts the Canadian Primate
is posting to the internet in an attempt to engage members of the church in
ongoing communications.

As always, people are invited to respond to the Primate by emailing him at
Andrew@national.anglican.ca

The webcasts are produced by Anglican Video and financially assisted by the
Anglican Foundation

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=315&pos=#315

(314) 14-February-2005 - ERD offers access to trauma counseling in Sri
Lanka - Ceylon

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing access to counseling
services for Sri Lankans recovering after the tsunami. Many survivors lost
family members and remain traumatized by the disaster.

ERD is working with the Diocese of Colombo to coordinate a trauma stress
relief and rehabilitation program for people in need of counseling. David
Baughn MD and Jennifer Baughn PhD, a physician and clinical psychologist
trained in the field of trauma, will be stationed in Sri Lanka for three
months. There, they will train local counselors, educators, and social
service workers on post traumatic stress disorder methods and interventions.

"Many people in communities throughout the diocese are in need of
counseling," said the Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Colombo.
"'The sea that sustained us took everything from us,'" quoted Bishop
Chickera. "This comment from a fisherman applies to people too. Both have
the potential for nourishment and destruction."

Visit www.er-d.org/tsunami frequently for recent updates on South Asia.

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=314&pos=#314

(313) 14-February-2005 - Mission Chaplain for Colombo - Ceylon

The Mission to Seafarers plans to restart a full-time ministry in the port
of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The move follows the decision last month by the Mission's trustees to set
aside ï¾£500,000 for the relief of seafarers and their families affected by
the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean region.

The Revd Philip Auden, the Mission's Portbury chaplain in Bristol for more
than five years, will fly to Colombo early in March to "lay the foundations
for re-establishing a full-time port chaplaincy in Colombo," said the
society's ministry secretary, the Revd Tom Heffer.

The Mission to Seafarers (then The Missions to Seamen) began work in
Colombo in 1941 but has not had a full-time chaplain in the port since 1999.

Mr Auden will spend at least three months in Sri Lanka, working with the
Mission's port committee, the local diocese and shipping industry.

His task is to assess the needs of seafarers visiting the port; review the
resources being used for their pastoral care and welfare; formulate a plan
for a future ministry and review the needs of seafarers and their families
affected by the tsunami disaster.

Full-time Mission chaplains in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tuticorin, South
India, have been supporting seafarers whose families were affected by the
tsunami.

The Mission to Seafarers (formerly The Missions to Seamen) is a missionary
society of the Anglican Church.  It cares for the practical and spiritual
welfare of seafarers of all races and creeds in 230 ports throughout the
world. Working through a network of chaplains and staff, on average each
year it makes 71,400 ship visits and welcomes 602,000 seafarers to its
centres, visits 900 seafarers in hospital and helps in around 1,000 justice
and welfare cases.

Peter Pickles, press officer, The Mission to Seafarers,
St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL
Tel: 020 7248 5202   Fax: 020 7248 4761   Email: press@missiontoseafarers.org

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=313&pos=#313

(312) 14-February-2005 - Revised Spanish translation of Windsor Report - ACO

14 February 2005

WINDSOR REPORT: REVISED SPANISH TRANSLATION

A revised version of Section D of the Windsor Report in Spanish is now
available at:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/windsor2004/downloads/index.cfm

We ask parish, diocesan and national church offices to make this known to
their members who speak Spanish. We regret the difficulties associated with
the original translation.

J M Rosenthal

Director of Communications

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=312&pos=#312

(311) 10-February-2005 - Primate's sermon at farewell Eucharist - Australia

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia and Archbishop of Perth,
the Most Revd Peter Carnley, celebrated his farewell Eucharist at Winthrop
Hall at the University of Western Australia on Sunday 6 February. The
following link leads to a PDF file of his sermon on the occasion:

http://perth.anglican.org/archbishop/media_2003/A%20Retirement%20SERMON%206feb05.pdf

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=311&pos=#311

(310) 09-February-2005 - Church investors maintain alcohol exclusion - England

News from the Church of England

An in-depth review of the Church of England's current policy not to invest
in brewers, distillers and operators of pub companies has concluded that
this is still a relevant investment exclusion for the Church.

The Church's main investing bodies (the Church Commissioners; the Central
Board of Finance; and the Church of England Pensions Board) have now all
considered the recommendation made by the Church of England Ethical
Investment Advisory Group  (EIAG).  All three have accepted that the policy
of avoiding investment in companies whose main business or focus is the
manufacturing, marketing and sale of alcoholic beverages should remain in
place.

The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester and EIAG Deputy Chairman,
said: "There is a clear and necessary distinction between decisions taken
by society as a whole, by congregations, and by individual
Christians.  There is no inconsistency between individual Church members
enjoying alcohol as one of God's gifts, and the Church as an institution
declining to take dividends from manufacturing or marketing it.

"The prime ethical objection to investing in this area is the social damage
caused by alcohol abuse and misuse, such as crime, violence, broken homes
and damage to health.  Moderate consumption can be a witness: acquiring an
investment in expanding it is not."

Amongst the factors leading the Church's investors to maintain the
exclusion is the current national debate on the misuse of alcohol and a
growing binge-drinking culture; and the increasing number of negative
health and social implications of the increase in alcohol consumption,
particularly amongst young and underage drinkers. There is also a lack of
confidence in the current self-regulatory environment, and an acceptance
that the marketing and sale of alcohol is a pressing problem.

Further information from:

Louis Henderson or Arun Kataria 020 7898 1326 (Church of England
Communications Unit)
Neville White 020 7489 6047 (Secretary, Ethical Investment Advisory Group)

Notes for editors

1. The Church of England has no temperance doctrine, and recognises that
many Church members enjoy alcohol in moderation. However, it is well aware
of the dangers that excessive alcohol consumption poses to health, to
family life and to society as a whole.
2. Following a review in 1998, investment has been allowed in selected
companies that have diversified away from brewing into catering, hotels,
health and family-focused activities.
3. Copies of a paper Alcohol: An inappropriate investment for the Church of
England are available in hard copy from the Socially Responsible Investment
Unit (detailed below) or on the Church of England's website
at
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/ethical/policystatements/policyalcohol.pdf
4. The Church's full ethical investment policy is set out at
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/ethical/policystatements/policyethicalinvestmentstatement.pdf

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=310&pos=#310

(309) 09-February-2005 - On the President's budget by Presiding Bishop
Griswold - USA

>From the Episcopal News Service of the United States

Statement on the President's budget by the Most Revd Frank Griswold,
Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, USA

[ENS] The Presiding Bishop today offered the following commentary on
President Bush's FY'06 budget request:

In the life of our nation, one of the most concrete expressions of our
shared moral values and priorities is the federal budget. In examining
whether a budget properly reflects America's values, the Church is called
to ask the following questions:

* Is the budget compassionate? Jesus tells his followers to "be
compassionate, as your Heavenly Father is compassionate." But compassion is
just an abstraction unless we make it real in our lives. A compassionate
nation must use its common resources not just for matters like security and
national defense, but also to respond to the Gospel command to care for the
least among us.
* Does the budget strive to serve the human family, both at home and around
the world? Our nation is part of a community that stretches beyond our
borders. This gives us an imperative to use our common resources to combat
poverty, disease, injustice, and instability wherever they occur, but most
of all in places where the need is greatest.
* Does the budget serve the common good? Jesus tells us that "from everyone
to whom much has been given, much will be required." While we hear a great
deal in the secular world about creating an "ownership society," the ethic
of Christian stewardship teaches us that the resources we possess are God's
alone, merely held in trust by human hands. In a nation of such immense
prosperity, our budget must seek to use our resources not just for our own
good, but broadly for the good of the entire human family.

While there are some areas in President Bush's budget that give me hope, I
am deeply disheartened by others. As Congress begins its budget
deliberations and the Administration negotiates with them, there are a
number of areas I hope they will consider anew. In particular, I am
concerned that this budget neglects and exacerbates our nation's healthcare
crisis, especially for children and seniors, and fails to honor the
commitments our nation has made to combating poverty and disease overseas.
Such a budget is not a reflection of the compassionate values of our
nation, nor of the Gospel's command to care for the least among us.

HEALTHCARE

Forty-five million Americans today lack access to quality and affordable
health care, an increase of five million over the past three years. This
budget exacerbates the problem by recommending deep cuts in Medicaid, of
which the most bruising impact of these cuts will fall upon the neediest in
our midst: the poor, children, senior citizens, and the disabled and states
will be hard-pressed to make up the difference. If our federal budget is to
reflect the values of the American people, it must better care for the
neediest among us.

POVERTY AND DISEASE ABROAD

Two years ago, I warmly applauded the President's call for $15 billion to
combat HIV/AIDS overseas and his creation of the Millennium Challenge
Account (MCA) to combat poverty and instability around the world. These are
areas of deep concern for me, especially as I consider the plight of our 27
million Anglican brothers and sisters who live in sub-Saharan Africa. While
I am gratified to see that both program areas received small increases over
last year's funding levels, I am concerned that they continue to fall short
of the commitments the President has made. In particular, I am troubled
that the budget, for the second time in two years, significantly cuts the
U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria and funds the MCA at just 60 percent of its promised level. These
figures are particularly problematic when viewed alongside the budget's
other cuts in foreign-aid programs. As the President has observed in the
past, our nation's efforts to c!
ombat poverty and disease abroad are not just a matter of humanitarian
obligation, but a necessity in building a more secure and stable world.

AID FOR THE PALESTINIANS

One area of the budget that gives me hope is the provision of $150 million
in aid to the Palestinian people. It is my sincere prayer that this is a
signal that the United States has re-committed itself to helping to lead a
political process to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At this unique
moment of opportunity, the vision of a two-state solution is coming back
into focus, giving me hope that Palestinians and Israelis may both soon
live in freedom and security.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ens/

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=309&pos=#309

(308) 09-February-2005 - Anglican Church launches new HIV/AIDS web site -
South Africa

"AIDS is not God's punishment for the wicked...AIDS is a disease." This
quote from Anglican Archbishop, the Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndungane, is what
scrolls across the home page of the new Anglican Church HIV & AIDS web site
to be launched on Thursday this week [10 Feb].

Archbishop Ndungane will give a welcoming address at the "real" launch
function in Kenilworth, Cape Town. A "virtual" launch all over the Church
Province of Southern Africa - which includes South Africa, Swaziland,
Lesotho, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and the Island of St Helena - will
take place at the same time. International "virtual" guests will also be
present.

Consultant, Wendy Lewin, who helped set up the web site, says that the
purpose of it is twofold. It is firstly to introduce what the Anglican
Church is doing to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and secondly to support
people running the Anglican Church HIV/AIDS projects across Southern
Africa. It will be a means of communication for funders and the HIV & AIDS
office and also between people who are working on the ground, for whom it
will be useful to compare notes and swap stories around their work.

The main programme run by the Anglican Church at present is called Isiseko
Sokomeleza - "Building a Foundation". It is a partnership between the
Church of the Province of Southern Africa (Anglican Church) and Christian
Aid, funded by the British Government's Department for International
Development (DFID).

Isiseko Sokomeleza provides monthly funding to each of the 23 Anglican
dioceses to support HIV & AIDS co-ordinators across Southern Africa. It
also provides additional funding to run projects that support home-based
care, orphaned and vulnerable children, voluntary counselling and testing,
wellness management, youth and the prevention of the spread of HIV.
The web site also contains details of all the other programmes being run.
"We are working hard to get funding for even more programmes and we will
bring news of them to people as they are confirmed in future," says
Archbishop Ndungane.

"You do not have to be an Anglican - you do not even have to be a
Christian...we hope this site will help and encourage you, whatever you
need," says the Archbishop. "As you explore the site, you will find it has
a huge range of resources. Whether you are looking for advice on how to
make a funding proposal, or ideas for what a small rural church can do, or
the best way to run financial management, or what to put in a love pack for
babies - it is all here!" he says.
The Archbishop says "I am very excited by this project. It harnesses the
very best of contemporary technology in ways that can be used even by the
poorest of the poor, so that all possible resources can be brought together
in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

The website address is www.anglicanaids.org

For further information, please 'phone Penny Lorimer, Media Liaison for
Archbishop Ndungane, on 0027 82 894-1522

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=308&pos=#308

(307) 09-February-2005 - Election of a new leader for the Maori church -
New Zealand

>From the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

Maori from throughout Aotearoa will gather at Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia
tomorrow afternoon (10 Feb) to elect a new Pihopa o Aotearoa, or leader of
the Maori arm of the Anglican Church.

The election is to fill the vacancy created last year when the Most Revd
Whakahuihui Vercoe was chosen as overall head of the church, or Archbishop
of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia.

The election at Turangawaewae is a three-day process, and will begin with a
hui-a-iwi - which has been called to hear submissions on the role of the
Bishop of Aotearoa, and to gather nominations for the post.

That hui-a-iwi, which will convene tomorrow evening and continue through
most of the next day, is open to the community at large, and submissions
will be heard from a wide range of people, regardless of their ethnicity,
iwi and religious affiliations.

The views and recommendations of the hui-a-iwi will be conveyed to nga Hui
Amorangi - (in effect, the leaders and elected representatives of the five
constituent regions of Tikanga Maori) which will meet in a separate
Electoral College on Saturday, 12 February.

Delegates to the Electoral College have the power to vote, and they'll make
a recommendation on who will be the next Pihopa o Aotearoa.

A ratification process will then begin. The nomination will be referred to
the bishops, and then forwarded to all General Synod members for a postal
ballot. After they have been polled, the Primate and Archbishop, the Most
Revd Whakahuihui Vercoe, will announce the result.

The chairperson for the hui-a-iwi will be Tumu Te Heuheu, the paramount
chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa. A panel of Maori leaders will join Mr Te Heuheu
to form the praesidium which will conduct the hui. The Rt Revd David Moxon,
the Bishop of Waikato, will chair the Electoral College.

ends

Note to Editors:

1) The Anglican Church in these islands has three equal and autonomous
strands - Tikanga Maori, Tikanga Pakeha, and Tikanga Polynesia. This
election concerns the leadership of Tikanga Maori.

2) The Hui-a-Iwi, on Thursday evening and Friday, is open to the media.
However, space is limited, and there are strict protocols on filming at
Turangawaewae. All media seeking to be at the hui should seek accreditation
from Mrs Vini Kingi, the Administrator for the Turangawaewae Marae
Trustees. She can be contacted on (07) 824 8154.

3) The proceedings of the Electoral College are conducted in committee, and
no announcement of the outcome of the election will be made until the
General Synod members have considered the nomination, and returned their
postal votes. The whole process may take up to 21 days.

For further information, please contact:

Lloyd AshtonMedia Officer for the Anglican Church
in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
mediaofficer@ang.org.nz

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=307&pos=#307

(306) 07-February-2005 - Death of Archbishop Agbaje - Nigeria

>From Church of Nigeria news

Archbishop of Bendel Province Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) the
Most Rev Albert Agbaje is dead. He died in Sabongidda-Ora on 31 January
2005 at the age of 68.

Until his death, he was the Bishop of Sabongidda-Ora and the Archbishop of
ecclesiastical province of Bendel comprising the dioceses of Benin, Asaba,
Warri, Sabongida-Ora, Ughelli, Oleh, Esan and Ika.

Consecrated in 1993 Archbishop Agbaje was the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese
of Sabongida-Ora. He was ordained priest in 1973 and served in different
dioceses including the Diocese of Benin and the Diocese of Lagos.

Burial arrangements will be announced later.

Please send us your reactions on the death of Archbishop Albert Agbaje. We
may publish a selection of your comments. To: communication@anglican-nig.org

permalink.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?years=2005&months=2&article=306&pos=#306

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 7,500 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html