The Diocese of New Westminster (DNW) initiated action against St. Matthew’s Abbotsford and St. Matthias‑St. Luke Vancouver on August 26th and is seeking to take over governance of the parishes. We are deeply disappointed by this action as it fails to recognize:
- repeated attempts by the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) parishes to seek dialogue before litigation;
- repeated statements from the Primate of Canada that any such action will damage the public witness of the church;
- repeated calls from the Anglican Communion to refrain from such hostile action.
It is a sad irony that the Diocese invoked Canon 15 on the same day that the Archbishop of Canterbury released his Pastoral Letter to all Bishops of the Anglican Communion reflecting on the recent Lambeth conference saying:
“…the chief need of our Communion at the moment was the rebuilding of relationships – the rebuilding of trust in one another – and of confidence in our Anglican identity… How far the intensified sense of belonging together will help mutual restraint in such matters remains to be seen. But it can be said that few of those who attended left without feeling they had in some respects moved and changed.”
Sadly, with the actions of the Diocese, it appears that this optimism is unfounded.
We stand with St. Matthew’s and St. Matthias‑St. Luke as they will be required to defend themselves; we will ask the DNW to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms; we will ensure appropriate measures continue in place to best protect our parish, clergy and staff. We are an imperfect community seeking to grow in faith and joyful repentance, welcoming all people and supporting Christian outreach. We believe Jesus Christ is the saviour of the world and we endeavor to live and proclaim the gospel truth, following our Lord Jesus Christ, consistent with global Anglican teaching and theology.
- St. John’s Leadership and Staff
DNW won’t listen to the wider communion, we should expect by now that any protest by ++Fred will fall on deaf ears.
It’s easy to kick at the little cat but Shaughnessey, who I understand hasn’t sent anything to the Diocese for years might not cower in the corner.
I pray daily for the strength to look only forward and avoid any obsession with the situation. Mostly that hasn’t worked.
They will find out St Matt’s isn’t a little cat. We are meeting for prayer this morning at 10:30 as the Diocesan representatives take inventory. Please pray with and for us.
In other words, St. John’s has seen through the divide and conquer strategy of their former diocese, and has served notice that it won’t work. Good for them!