Ministries agree to cooperate

The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada met with Equipping Christians for the Public-square Centre (ECP) to explore cooperation January 29. ARPA is a grassroots organization that strives to equip the Reformed Church community to be salt and light in Canadian political life. ECP started in 2005 and supports Christians who face legal challenges for the public expression of their faith. The two organizations agreed that any duplication of efforts that currently exists should be minimized. To further that end, the ECP Centre will reduce the educational component of its mission, while maintaining its successful Ignite conferences. ARPA Canada will continue with and strengthen its educational efforts. When possible, the ECP Centre will offer its expertise to assist ARPA Canada in this.

Evangelicals concerned about Sri Lanka

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) has sent a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon expressing concern over an anti-conversion bill that is currently before the Parliament of Sri Lanka. If made law, the legislation is likely to jeopardize the safety of Sri Lanka's Christians and other faith minorities. Since 1983, the country has been wracked by a civil war between the four-fifths of the country who are Sinhalese (and mostly Buddhist) and the one-fifth who are Tamil (and mostly Hindu). There is also a small Christian minority. The RLC has issued a prayer alert on the subject.

Jews protest bishop's reinstatement

Canadian Jewish Congess (CJC) Co-President Rabbi Reuven Bulka has criticized the reinstatement of Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Williamson, calling him "an unrepentant antisemite and Holocaust denier." Last November, Williamson stated on Swedish TV: "I believe there were no gas chambers ... I think that two to three hundred thousand Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps ... but none of them by gas chambers." Williamson and three other "bishops" were recently reinstated by Pope Benedict in an attempt to heal a breach with conservative elements of the church who left over dissatisfaction with modernizing trends in the Church. The four were excommunicated 20 years ago for "having received episcopal ordination" without the pope's approval. The CJC met January 30 with Archbishop Luigi Venture, Papal Nuncio to Canada, stating: "We understand that the Pope may be trying to heal an internal rift within the Church but that cannot be done by re-embracing someone with such intolerable views toward Jews." Noting that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has denounced Williamson's views, Bulka added: "Our dialogue with the CCCB and Catholics in Canada is strong, and we look for support and solidarity on this sad occasion."

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Catholics help Zimbabwe

The Roman Catholic organization Development and Peace has sent $100,000 to Zimbabwe to provide emergency aid to over 200,000 people. The relief program, run by Development and Peace partner Caritas Zimbabwe, addresses urgent and long-term problems such as hunger, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the cholera epidemic, all exacerbated by the collapse of the country's economy and infrastructure. Zimbabwe is undergoing a severe humanitarian crisis, with 83 percent of its inhabitants currently living on less than two dollars a day. "It is crucial that we offset the impact of the Zimbabwean government's mismanagement," says Barbara Trachsel, emergency relief program officer for Development and Peace. "During the election period, from March to August, humanitarian aid was put on hold. Now, the country is in a political deadlock and the agricultural season has failed for a third year in a row, further increasing the dependence of the Zimbabwean population on food aid." Caritas Zimbabwe will distribute food rations, offer midday meals for children in school, distribute seeds, provide agricultural training, supply medicine and improve access to sanitation. The program will cost $8.9 million and will run for the next seven months. Contributions can be made by phone at 1-888-664-3387.

Ottawa priests leave Anglican Church of Canada

Five priests from the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa have voluntarily surrendered their licences, leaving the Anglican Church of Canada to join the Anglican Network in Canada. The diocesan bishop of Ottawa, John Chapman, announced "with regret" the resignation of: Archdeacon Tim Parent of Holy Trinity Church in Pembroke, Ontario; Rev. David Crawley; Rev. Jennifer Wickham; Rev. Archie Hunter; and Rev. Gregory Bloomquist. -- Anglican Journal

Prairie Messenger honoured

The Prairie Messenger, a weekly Catholic newspaper published by the Benedictine community at St. Peter's Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan, has been recognized as a "global citizen" for its commitment to justice and for its ongoing in-depth coverage of issues such as poverty in the global south, the environment, and conflicts around the world. The paper was given the Global Citizen Award, presented annually by the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation. "Here in Saskatchewan, the reporters of the Prairie Messenger have shown great dedication and have put much hard work into covering local events that relate to global issues of peace, justice and the environment," stated the paper's nomination documents. "The proportion of the coverage provided by the Prairie Messenger on such issues is way ahead of the coverage provided by the regular media."

February 5/2009