wfn.org | Episcopal News Service Briefs

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2001-185

News Briefs

Convocation of American Churches in Europe elects first bishop

     (ENS) The Rev. Pierre Whalon, rector of St. Andrew's Church and School in 
Ft. Pierce, Florida, was elected the first suffragan bishop of the Convocation of 
American Churches in Europe at a special convention in Paris June 23. The 
convocation asked Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold last December for permission 
to elect its next bishop. Historically the part-time position has been appointed 
by the presiding bishop. Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn, who is retiring, has serve 
full-time since his appointment in January of 1994. Whalon was elected on the 
third ballot. The other candidates were the Rev. Mark Harris of the Diocese of 
Delaware and the Rev. Gray Temple of the Diocese of Atlanta.

     Whalon has dual French and US citizenship. Originally a music scholar, he is 
a 1985 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and served parishes in 
Pennsylvania before moving to Florida.

     The convocation comprises nine churches, four mission congregations and four 
specialized ministries in five European countries. An integral part of the 
Episcopal Church USA, it is under the jurisdiction of the presiding bishop. 
Subject to consents by diocesan standing committees and bishops, Whalon will be 
consecrated November 18 at St. Paul's Within the Walls in Rome.

     

Illinois megachurch plans to use television in satellite churches

     (ENS) Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago is planning to 
launch satellite churches that would gather people before huge video screens 
linked to Sunday services at the megachurch.

     According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, Willow Creek will build or 
rent space at a dozen sites around the area where a pastor, musicians and a 
congregation would gather for a mix of worship and preaching beamed in via fiber-
optic lines. While television preaching is commonplace in America, Willow Creek 
will combine live worship and video uplink in its unusual attempt to blend 
traditional ideas of church with media alternatives.

     Willow Creek started in 1975 in a movie theater in Palatine with 125 people 
and now draws an average of 17,000 to six services each weekend. Yet its leaders 
realized that they wanted to reach more people. "We're doing this because our 
attenders who live farther than 30 minutes from Willow Creek made it very clear 
that they would like to invite more friends and more actively participate, but 
distance is a barrier," said David Staal, director of communications for the 
congregation. A survey of members revealed strong support for the idea of 
satellite churches.

     

Native bishop in Canada forgives church for its dealings with indigenous peoples

     (ACC) Bishop Gordon Beardy of Keewatin formally forgave the church for its 
past dealings with indigenous peoples at a native healing ceremony during the 
General Synod meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC).

     Beardy made it clear at the service that he was speaking not as a bishop but 
as a native person who had attended a residential school. The church is facing 
hundreds of lawsuits alleging abuse of indigenous children attending the schools, 
which were run by the church for the government. One diocese has already 
announced that it will go bankrupt this fall and, unless the government provides 
some relief, the national church could also face bankruptcy.

     "From my heart I would like to say that I forgive you and I want to forgive 
your church which has become my church. I forgive your people who have become my 
people," Beardy said. "I accept your apology because you have worked so hard to 
break down the barriers. Where things that were condemned before, today you 
receive them with joy. Where once we were outsiders, today we are with you, as a 
friend, as a leader, as a brother."

     Archbishop Michael Peers formally apologized on behalf of the church for its 
role in the abuses occurring at residential schools and the apology was accepted 
by the elders at the national native convocation in 1993. It is considered by 
many to be a watershed moment in the church's relationship with its native 
members.

     Later in an interview Beardy said that he was proud that his church was 
listening to native people. "This is not a white church any more," he said. "I 
feel it is our church." He said it was the right time for the church's native 
members to forgive and continue the "healing journey." 

     

African Anglicans launch initiative to fight AIDS pandemic

     (ENS) Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, primate of the Anglican Church in 
Southern Africa, said in a July 4 statement that a broad-based initiative will be 
launched in response to the AIDS pandemic that is sweeping through sub-Saharan 
Africa. "This initiative is unique and a global first in that it draws together 
faith-based communities, international agencies (such as the United Nations, the 
Agency for International Development and the World Bank), the donor community and 
pharmaceutical companies," he said in the statement.

     "Although it is an Anglican initiative, the task ahead is so great that we 
plan to involve other Christian denominations and faiths, NGOs and civil 
society," Ndungane said. The program will be officially launched at a strategic 
planning conference in mid-August that will address "the nine concerns identified 
as key to the battle against AIDS," including counseling, care for those living 
with AIDS, the role of leadership, prevention, spiritual guidance, aid for 
orphans, funding and advocacy.

     Ndungane said that representatives from other parts of the worldwide 
Anglican Communion would be present at the conference to observe and assess 
whether a similar initiative might be appropriate for their countries.

     "If one considers the ability of churches to reach deep into communities and 
to adopt a hands-on approach to the pandemic, there is little doubt that our 
commitment can and must impact on all Africa and, indeed, the whole world," 
Ndungane said in his statement. "We know this is not going to be an easy task. In 
many instances we are going to have to cut across tradition and culture in terms 
of issues such as sex education for our young people and burial customs that take 
up too much land and place poverty stricken families into a permanent debt 
cycle." He asked for prayers "as we embark on a prophetic challenge in which we 
dare not fail, especially in our role of providing spiritual and emotional 
healing."