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CANADA: Archdeacon Attempts Sabotage Of Orthodox Group At Synod

ARCHDEACON ATTEMPTS SABOTAGE OF ORTHODOX GROUP AT CANADIAN SYNOD

Special Report

By David W. Virtue

ST. CATHARINE'S, ON (5/26/2004)--The Archdeacon of Lincoln in the Diocese of Niagara, the Venerable Bruce A. McPetrie, has written a letter to the Brock University Campus Police and the Niagara Regional Police in what appears to be an indirect attempt to undermine the orthodox movement called Essentials Canada from being present at the upcoming Synod.

In a letter to the university campus police, McPetrie charged that the group tried to get accommodation at the Brock University residences and failed but was able to get into nearby Concordia Lutheran Seminary.

McPetrie also charged that another unnamed group from Texas might also appear at the General synod to cause a disturbance during debates over same-sex issues which will dominate General Synod.

In his letter the archdeacon said, "Although we do not anticipate any difficulties from this particular group, their presence represents an indication that we should expect more than a passing interest in such a controversial issue."

General Synod is being held at Brock University campus in St. Catherine's, Ontario.

"We didn't know whether to laugh or cry. We were very surprised to have been referenced in a letter to police that seemed to imply that Essentials is disruptive or would not act in a decent and dignified manner," said Chris Hawley, an Essentials spokesman.

"We rented Concordia Lutheran Seminary (a seminary on the campus of Brock) to provide lunches and prayer space for delegates, as well as a meeting space for Essentials."

"Essentials have an authorized booth at General Synod, as we have had at the last two General Synods. Essentials' member groups have been at General Synod for many years prior to that. Essentials had been told there was not enough additional space for them outside of the booth, so we rented Concordia," Hawley told Virtuosity.

Essentials, as an orthodox and loyal ministry within the Anglican Church of Canada plays a similar role at General Synod as the American Anglican Council did at the last General Convention in the American Episcopal Church.

Hawley said that he had received a call from a reporter asking if Essentials was intending to fly in Southern Baptists to General Synod to support our protest against same-sex rites.
"I said of course not."

Neither the archdeacon nor Essentials could identify the Texas group.

Following the archdeacon's letter, a leader in Essentials was called in by Brock University for an urgent meeting with the organization and Concordia Seminary.

"At that time meeting we were told that there had been a letter to both Brock Campus
Police and Niagara Regional Police and without directly naming Essentials, referred mysteriously to a group that was coming to General Synod.

"The Brock and Concordia people were very concerned about what might happen in open debate, but we assured them that the Essentials people were harmless."

Essentials have never been a part of any protest or incident in the past that would even raise eyebrows, said Hawley.

"The fact that Essentials was isolated in this letter to police raises concerns about possible protests and alleged disturbances are both alarming and highly inappropriate. It amounts to a whisper campaign. There is no reason at all why anyone would expect Essentials to be the cause of a problem any more any other group at general synod."

"The letter states our presence is linked to the debate over the blessings of same-sex unions, but Essentials attends every General Synod, same-sex blessings or not, always without incident. We're the largest orthodox group in Canada, and here we are the subject of a thinly veiled letter to police."

"Everyone in the Anglican Church of Canada knows Essentials is a peaceful group. I am certain this incident will deepen the impression that there are people trying to marginalize and minimize the orthodox voice in Canada. We want the same thing as any other group, to make our voices heard. That's what General Synod is supposed to be for," said Hawley

END

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