wfn.org | Episcopalians: News Briefs

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November 5, 2002

2002-255

Episcopalians: News Briefs

Black, Native American, Asian missioners leaving Church Center 
staff

(ENS)  The Rev. Lynn Collins, missioner for Black and Urban 
Ministries, and the Rev. John Robertson, missioner for Native 
American Ministries, will conclude their work at the Episcopal 
Church Center by the end of 2002. The announcement was made 
November 5 by Pat Mordecai, chief operating officer and 
assistant to the presiding bishop for administration. 

"[L]ast February the decision was made to begin a search for a 
Director of Ethnic Congregational Development and the ethnic 
missioners were informed at that time that their positions as 
presently configured were to end as soon as we had named the 
director of the department," Mordecai said. "They were also told 
that the new positions would have a much stronger focus on 
growing and developing congregations, while maintaining the 
advocacy role so important within these communities.

"Because we have not had success as yet in naming a Director of 
Ethnic Congregational Development, we believe now eight months 
later that it is important to begin the process of transition 
and for some of the ethnic ministries staff to bring closure to 
their work as presently constituted.  

"Early in the new year, we will begin a search process for 
filling the new positions in Ethnic Congregational Development, 
and we will continue in our search for a director," the 
statement concluded. "In the meantime, we hope to name an Acting 
Director of Ethnic Congregational Development in the near 
future."

Mordecai said the church center is "very grateful" to Collins 
and Robertson for "their years of service and contributions to 
the life of this organization, our ethnic communities, and the 
church at large."

On November 1, Mordecai announced the retirement of the Rev. 
Winston Ching, missioner for Asian Ministries, after 29 years at 
the Church Center, calling it "a remarkable accomplishment."

El Cajon parish, mayor reach temporary compromise on homeless 
shelter

(ENS) As a midnight deadline approached on October 29, Mark 
Lewis, the mayor of El Cajon, California, and the Rev. John 
Conrad, the rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in El Cajon, 
were able to work out a tentative plan for homeless people 
camped on the church's property. As a result, a news conference 
and candlelight vigil, originally scheduled as protests, became, 
as Conrad put it, "more Easter than Good Friday."

There are no services for homeless people in El Cajon, a small 
city near San Diego. An earlier, non-binding resolution by the 
city council had not resulted in action toward creating a 
shelter for these people.

The people of St. Alban's made a commitment to help the homeless 
in the city early in the summer. To date, most of their efforts 
have run afoul of city government and their neighbors. Efforts 
to provide toilet facilities and to allow people to camp on a 
vacant lot next to the church have generated complaints from 
neighbors and threats of legal action by the city.

On October 22, the city council voted to give St. Alban's one 
week to remove the homeless people camped on the property or 
face legal action, including the threat of revocation of the 
conditional use permit that allows the church to operate. At 
that time, some 12 to 15 people were camped on the lot in tents, 
using a portable toilet supplied by the church.

Over the next week, the camp occupancy doubled. The campers 
included several families with small children and two men who 
used wheelchairs. A second toilet was installed to accommodate 
their needs. The camp was kept clean and orderly but still 
dismayed many neighbors.

At noon on October 29, Lewis visited the camp and church to 
discuss the situation with Conrad. During their conversation, 
they worked out a plan for the future. Lewis would advocate 
allowing a temporary shelter to be installed either at St. 
Alban's or on another vacant lot, and St. Alban's would commit 
to the running of a shelter this winter. Tentative plans 
included the use of portable buildings similar to the portable 
classrooms used in many local schools. The shelter would include 
services designed to assist guests to find permanent homes, 
jobs, medical treatment and other necessities for transitioning 
away from life on the streets. This would provide a temporary 
solution, allowing the city more time to design, fund and create 
a permanent regional center for the homeless.

Lewis called this "a win-win situation that meets the needs of 
the community, the neighbors, downtown merchants, the church, 
and the homeless." Conrad declared, "I prayed from midnight till 
morning that something like this would happen."

The city council, where the mayor has one vote in five, must 
still approve the actions and some opposition is expected when 
they meet on November 12. Until then, the city attorney is bound 
by the October 22 vote to seek legal action against the church 
for not complying with the request that the homeless camp be 
removed. The people of St. Alban's have promised to continue to 
care for the campers until a shelter is in place for them.

Conrad estimates that the temporary shelter will cost 
approximately $600,000 for the first year. He pledged 1 percent 
of St. Alban's budget and 1percent of his salary toward the 
effort and called on other churches in the city, other Episcopal 
churches in the Diocese of San Diego, and the city of El Cajon 
to pledge 1percent of their budgets toward the effort. Conrad 
has raised $10,000 by emailing local Episcopal clergy. Donations 
to assist may be made to the St. Alban's HELP Fund, Episcopal 
Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, California 
92103.

'Firewall' resolution passes in Pittsburgh

(ENS) A resolution touted as an attempt to build a "firewall" 
between self-described "orthodox Anglicans" and decisions of the 
General Convention passed at the 137th annual convention of the 
Diocese of Pittsburgh on November 2.

The resolution, modeled after one passed in February by the 
Diocese of South Carolina, states that the diocese:

+ affirms "the Creedal confession of the Triune God: the Father, 
the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and of the unique saving work of 
Jesus Christ. We cannot use liturgies that depart from 
scriptural revelation and the historic Faith"

+ affirms "that in God's love for all people, the only sexually 
intimate relationships receiving His blessing in Scripture and 
Tradition are those of a man and a woman within an intended 
life-long, faithful, marital covenant. The Church cannot bless 
any other sexual relationship, and we cannot recognize the 
blessing of any other."

+ affirms "the right of conscience for those who cannot agree 
with changes in the Faith, Order, or Practice of the Episcopal 
Church when those changes contradict the expressed mind of the 
worldwide Anglican Communion and the historic catholic faith. We 
cannot accept canons which mandate clergy and laity to comply 
with such changes."

A similar resolution was passed earlier by the Diocese of Fort 
Worth.

The 93 priests and deacons at the convention favored it 73-14, 
with six abstentions. The 174 lay deputies adopted it 119-49, 
with six abstentions. 

"We voted and recorded the pattern of our vote. We tried not to 
be winners and losers, but rather brothers and sisters. Though 
divided, we sought to be 'one church' in how we did what we 
did," said Pittsburgh bishop Robert Duncan. Duncan, who 
initially supported the resolution, stated later in 
pre-convention meetings that he thought the resolution "divides 
and hurts people." He also provided assurances that the 
resolution would not limit the use of future liturgies by 
individual parishes wanting to use them, although such use might 
have to be overseen by another bishop. Duncan took no part in 
the discussion of the resolution, although he did preside.

The vote was taken by secret ballot after a motion to table the 
resolution failed. After its passage, members of the ad hoc 
group Those Opposed to Resolution One (TORO), accompanied by 
supporters, walked to the front of the convention floor wearing 
signs that read "Christ Unites, Resolution 1 Divides," and the 
Rev. Cynthia Bronson-Sweigart of Church of the Redeemer in 
Squirrel Hill read a statement.

"We are in profound pain over the positions stated in this 
resolution and concerned about the consequences its adoption 
will have on the already fragile common life of this diocese," 
the statement said. "We believe this unyielding document further 
divides our people, rendering some of us invisible. Some priests 
and parishes will bear allegiance to the dictates of this 
document and the diocese, and some will bear allegiance to the 
dictates of the national church. In a diocese where the fabric 
of unity is increasingly threadbare, passage of this resolution 
creates a tear which is almost impossible to mend."

The statement was followed by silent prayer for the unity of the 
church and a statement from the Rev. J. Douglas McGlynn, 
speaking for the sponsors of the resolution. Noting that the 
resolution was not intended to silence the voice of those who 
were opposed to its content, McGlynn introduced a motion to 
append the voting tallies, both clergy and lay, to the 
communication of the resolution to the appropriate officers of 
the General Convention, scheduled to meet next summer in 
Minneapolis.  

The TORO group held "A Vigil of Prayer for the Unity of the 
Church" at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh the weekend 
before the convention. They reported to the convention that they 
had gathered 645 signatures in opposition to the resolution.

Frade protests treatment of Haitian migrants

(ENS) Bishop Leo Frade of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast 
Florida is protesting the treatment of more than 200 Haitians 
who came ashore near Miami's Rickenbacker Causeway on October 
29.

The migrants had left Port-au-Prince 18 days before and picked 
up three Cubans on a raft along the way. The migrants, including 
150 men, 35 women and 26 children, are being held at a detention 
center and at Miami hotels. Another 19 people fished from the 
waters off Miami are being held aboard a Coast Guard cutter, 
awaiting repatriation. The Bush administration changed its 
detention policy on Haitian refugees in December, 2001. Before 
the policy change, Haitian migrants applying for asylum were 
released into the community while their petitions were 
processed. 

"As a Christian, as an American and as an immigrant to this 
country, I am deeply disturbed by our government's unjust 
treatment of the Haitian refugees who came ashore in our 
community this week," Frade said. "These people, whose 
desperation and courage led them to undertake a dangerous voyage 
to escape the political violence in their own country, are now 
in jail. Because of an INS regulation directed only at 
asylum-seekers from Haiti, they will remain in detention for an 
indefinite period, while their claims are processed, which may 
take many months. To add to their distress, families have been 
separated, with men held in one facility while their wives and 
children have been taken elsewhere.

"Scripture teaches us again and again to welcome the stranger, 
reminding us that God's love and hospitality are without limits, 
and that all people are our neighbors. While it is not realistic 
to think that Miami-Dade County--or the whole United States--can 
reasonably accept everyone who would like to come here, I 
believe we are obligated as Americans, of whatever faith, or no 
faith, to treat with respect and fairness everyone who comes to 
our shores," Frade added.

Frade, who came to the U.S. from Cuba in 1960, urged President 
George Bush to direct the INS to "rescind the unjust directive 
that singles out Haitian refugees for such punitive treatment."

Support urged for aid to needy families

(ENS) Episcopalians are being urged to contact their senators 
and representatives about passing a three-year reauthorization 
for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. 

TANF is the primary funding source for states to assist those 
moving from welfare to self-sufficiency.  Proponents, who 
originally backed a five-year extension, now want Congress to 
consider a compromise to extend TANF without change for three 
years. Congress returns to Washington on November 12 for a 
post-election "lame duck" session.

"We believe that a 3-year extension would help poor working 
families much more than a 1-year extension," said a letter 
signed on behalf of the Episcopal Church by the church's Office 
of Government Relations. "Our decision to support a 3-year 
extension has been made because: 1) state officials and 
governors--those who administer TANF programs--have stated their 
concern that without a 3-year extension, many state 
legislatures, particularly those that only meet biennially, 
would not be able to plan adequately for the budgeting and 
administration of their TANF programs; 2) securing a stable 
level of federal funding for domestic social programs will 
probably be more feasible in 3 years, compared to 1 year from 
now; and 3) a 3-year extension would significantly de-politicize 
welfare reform.  A 1-year extension does not adequately address 
these concerns and the needs of welfare recipients."

A resolution passed by Executive Council in February 2002 
supported reduction of domestic poverty and called on the U.S. 
Congress and the Bush administration to "support federal 
programsoffering dignity and opportunities for the working poor 
to move out of poverty.  The Church supports the reauthorization 
of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families."

Church World Service moves new Africa initiative forward

(CWS) Church World Service is moving forward plans for a new 
Africa Initiative, through which CWS and its partners will seek 
to bring increased attention and resources to the struggles 
faced by the majority of Africans.

The CWS Africa Initiative will extend over at least five years 
and aims to target new resources for maximum impact on a few 
significant issues. It will work with African national councils 
of churches and other partners to build, improve and expand 
their humanitarian services, institutions and leadership. The 
Africa Initiative will target three particularly vulnerable 
populations: 1) children; 2) people living with HIV/AIDS, and 3) 
uprooted peoples, including refugees, migrants and internally 
displaced persons. It will focus on three root causes of hunger 
and poverty affecting these vulnerable groups: 1) violence, 
conflict, peace and reconciliation; 2) water, health and food 
security, and 3) globalization and poverty reduction. And it 
will give specific and intentional attention to the needs and 
rights of African women and girls, who long have faced 
discrimination and violence.

One component of the Africa Initiative that is generating 
particular interest is the concept of schools as "Safe Zones." 
Executive Director John L. McCullough said, "We would seek to 
promote schools as safe zones where children could be secure 
from violence, receive one hot meal a day, and pursue 
education."

The Africa Initiative in general, and the "Safe Zones" component 
in particular, also will seek to engage corporations, especially 
those that have been taking resources from the continent. "We 
will encourage them to reinvest in communities there," 
McCullough said. "The first priority for reinvestment should be 
the schools."

The Africa Initiative also sets out to "strengthen the voice of 
our partners in the international arena," said Kirsten Laursen, 
an Episcopalian who serves as CWS Deputy Director for Programs. 
"CWS has the unique opportunity to facilitate representation of 
our partners' concerns," on, for example, the New Economic 
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), a major 21st 
century initiative for engaging the international community in 
partnership with Africa for Africa's development.

The CWS Board of Directors reviewed the evolving initiative at 
its fall meeting, held October 22-23 in South Bend, Indiana, and 
gave its unanimous support. Formal launch of the Africa 
Initiative is set for January 2004. Throughout 2003, CWS will 
work to enlist U.S. denominational support and will hold a 
series of follow-up planning meetings with African church 
leaders. 

CWS is the $70 million a year, global humanitarian agency of the 
36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member denominations of the 
(U.S.) National Council of Churches, and works in more than 80 
countries. CWS has broad U.S. grassroots support--particularly 
through its nearly 2,000 annual CROP WALKS, which last year 
raised more than $17 million to fight hunger in the United 
States and around the world.

White House AIDS chief addresses NEAC conference

(ENS) Episcopalians and Lutherans concerned about HIV/AIDS 
met in Austin, Texas, October 11-12 for "New Directions 2002," a 
joint conference of the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition (NEAC) 
and the Lutheran AIDS Network (LANet).

Featured speaker for the gathering was Dr. Joseph O'Neill, newly 
appointed director of the White House Office of National AIDS 
Policy. He is responsible for guiding national health policy on 
HIV/AIDS care and treatment, health care financing, and access 
for medically underserved populations. A member of the faculty 
at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he previously 
served as acting director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy in 
the Department of Health and Human Services and was associate 
administrator in the HIV/AIDS Bureau of the Health Resources and 
Services Administration, where he ran the Ryan White CARE Act 
program.

The NEAC conference was the first "faith based" event that 
O'Neill had addressed since taking his position with the White 
House in July. O'Neill, whose two brothers are Jesuit priests, 
congratulated those present for their work in the area of 
HIV/AIDS and spoke about how government has learned from members 
of the faith community. He mentioned that government was "late 
to the fight" against HIV/AIDS and, once there, saw members of 
the faith community deeply involved in care and support. O'Neill 
also spoke to the need to do more to combat HIV/AIDS overseas.

Sessions included discussions of HIV prevention for persons over 
50; AIDS and the spirit; an overview of a Dallas needle exchange 
program; the progress of the Latino AIDS Prevention Project in 
Los Angeles; fund-raising for AIDS service organizations; the 
impact of HIV/AIDS on American rural communities; and how to 
rebuild diocesan HIV/AIDS task forces and make them more 
effective resources. 

Though death rates for U.S. men from HIV/AIDS have gone down 18 
percent, death rates for U.S. women have gone up 3 percent. AIDS 
is now the leading cause of death for U.S. Latina women aged 
25-44.

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