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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-07-24, Page 12ratan. Advance -Times, ThiIr!y + li' , 1S Anglican synod turns clown The Anglican Church of Cana- da charted a new course ffor the future when its highest legis14, tive .bddy met in Quebec City in June. The 27th general synod had been billed in advance as perhaps the most historic, most memor- able assembly in the history of the Canadian Church. It was all of that if only for de- cisions made on two major prob- lems that long had troubled the church. General synod turned aside from union -- at least on-- exist terms with the United Chu of Canada and, in a vote that had more immediate theological im- plications for the membership, decided that women could be or- dained to the priesthood. The decisions were not easy to reach and emotions among the nearly 300 delegates from all across Cana 1a at times ran high and debate acrimonious. One youth delegate prayed for "peace and unity that seems sorely needed here." But differences were swept. away at the end and at the closing ceremonies there was a note,,o unity and conciliation. Arch- bishop E. W. Scot, primate of the church, describing the meeting as one of joy and sadness, said the spirit of co-operation shown . had been "tremendous". The question of admitting wo- men to the priesthood has been an issue for many years among Anglican churches throughout the world. It was not so much a question of whether a woman should, but whether she could be a priest. The 27th general synod, in In- ternational. Women's Year, de- cided overwhelmingly that a wo- man could and that now is the time to do it. Voting was by orders — a nega- tive decision in one house would have negated a majority in .the others —and on the main motion, affirmation of the principle, was: the laity, 88to 18; the clergy, 75"to 30, and the bishops, 26 to 8. Synod also affirmed a second resolution, by an even higher ma- jority, that any diocesan bishop may now ordain a woman priest after consultation with the House of Bishops. House of Bishops -meetings are scheduled for next October and February, 1976. The `vote on' the second. motion was: 'the laid 95',d5f to' 30, and the bishops, 27 to 7. Some docesan bishops oppose the principle and have said they will refuse to ordain women. They were given this right in the enabling resolution and to ensure that "conscientious objectors" would suffer no penalty in so do- ing, it was resolved that: "no bishop, priest, deacon or lay person, including postulants for ordination, should be penal- ized in any manner, nor suffer canonical disabilities, nor be forced into positions which vio- late or coerce his or her con- science as a result of general synod's action." Almost as troublesome to dele- gates was the issue of church union which has been before the church since 1943 when the Angli- can Church initiated discussions leading to union with the United Church and other Christian churches. In the end, general synod said the plan of union, now before the Right now mortgages cost less • That home or cottage you hope to own some day can beyours right now ! The money you borrow at today's lower rates • will enable you to build or renovate now before material and labour costs go higher. Do it today at. Victoria and Grey! VG RIAand GREY TRUST COMPANY SINCE ieea Sharon E. Scott, Manager Listowel, Ontario participating churches for study, is unacceptable. It is willing to continue to talk along other lines, bui its action is viewed widely as meaning that union will not be achieved at least in this decade. The plan would have united the Anglican Church, with 1.5 million members, the United Church, which claims 2.1 million mem- bers and adherents, and the 7,000 - member Christian Church (Di- sciples. of Christ) into Church of Christ in Canada. Plan of union, issued in 1973, was the culmination of years of negotiations. It was to have been studied by the membership of the three churches and a plebiscite of the memberships held after this study. The representatives of the United and Christian churches, observers at synod, were upset by the decision. Rev. Donald Ray, general secretary of the United Church, speaking by invitation, said his Friends Are A Nice Thing To Have... THIS EMBLEM IS THE SIGN OF GOOD BUSI- NESS AND GOOD FRIENDS. For information cal: Phone 357-3275' TED BREWSTER of Wingham knew not a moment's hesi- tation as he started his 18 holes in the Invitational Golf Tournament at the Wingham .Golf Course last Wednesday. The balance of his foursome consisted of Harper English, also,of Wingham, George Finstad and George MacLean, both of CBC in Toronto. .: ij church would continue towork for Christian unity but was not tn. terest :' l "playing word woes about union and unity." The future of the committee on union and joint mission, on.whch representatives of the three churches sit, is uncertain. Synod voted to continue participation with changes in personnel and terms of reference but whether It will remain in existence will be decided at the committee's next scheduled meeting in September. Other issues important in the life of the church also were dis- cussed. Clear, hard-hitting resolutions urging social action in the Cana- dian north and in South Africa re- ceived syrrod'a support.. • General synod called on the federal, provincial and. territorial governments to halt all planned development in the north until aboriginal land claims are settled with native peoples.. It confirmed support to native peoples in their efforts to "obtain justice through recognition of treaty,. aboriginal and other rights" and through a just settle- ment of land claims. Synod delegates unanimously stated their agreement that na- tive peoples should be consulted before any policies or action are initiated in the future which will affect them. Sanctions were urged against. s South Africa to seek to bring an end to that country's policy of apartheid and white racism, A delegation of Anglican church- men -and women recently re- turned from South African ad- dressed members of synod. The church decided it wants preferential sugar agreements ended car ed,an trade commis- ',noners int south Africa recalled and nation-wide boycott of Sou' Atrican goods ample- men Led by all Anglicans, as well as othc i'anadians. Synod del gates have asked national, docesan and parish in- vestment c.,mmittees to make available their proxy votes to the church's public social responsi- bility unit if they ;have invested with, hanks or corporations, that trade with South•.'rica or have major investment there, The national and world pro - 1111105 of the Anglican Church are in serious financial straits, delegates were told. On the basis of apportionment receipts from the church's 28 docesee, financial officers are predicting there will be insufficient money for present programs and no money for im- plementing new ones. "The seriousness of this con- tinuing. situation cannot be overstressed," said finance cOn T mittee chairman George Donald of Montreal. He said support of national and world programs has increased onlr13 since ut �l��t�ut not eek to combat even the Inflation factor - A move that general synod, whiclt usually meets every two years, able every three Years o0 the grounds of coat was turned down when s er8 said. that in a fast moving world synod must be in a position to act .quickly. Coot of each general synod' are estimated at about $120,000. Synod avoided taking a stand on whether officially to approve a guaranteed income for all Cana- dians, to replace existing welfare systems, by referring the ques- tion to a committee for study and recommendations. A complete package with everything you need to erect an attractive, practical wood storage building., (Floor extra) . •OOOOOOM OOOO.. 22999 g x 9 Wood .Shed ........1 2110 KEN DEICHERTof Wingham is no golfer but he did fine as a caddy at the Invitational Golf Tournament at the Wingham Golf Club last Wednesday. 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