Episcopal Press and News
Church News Briefs
Diocesan Press Service. November 24, 1975 [75420]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- As of November 7, Church World Service (CWS) had assisted in the resettlement of more than 15,000 Vietnamese refugees in the U.S. CWS's commitment last April was to find homes and jobs for 10,000 refugees, as one of the nine voluntary agencies that undertook the resettlement of 135,000 Southeast Asian refugees. Of the total CWS resettlements, approximately 6,000 -- or more than one-third -- were recruited by the congregations of the United Methodist Church. The Episcopal Church, through the Episcopal Church Center in New York City and its West Coast Vietnamese Refugee Resettlement Office, aided in the placing of more than 1,200 refugees.
COVENTRY, England -- Anglican Bishop Cuthbert Bardsley of Coventry, 68, one of the Church of England's best known evangelists and a champion of American evangelist Billy Graham, has announced his intention to retire on May 6, 1976, the day after the 20th anniversary of his enthronement as Bishop of Coventry. From 1947 to 1956 he was Bishop Suffragan of Croydon, in southwest London, and he was also the Archbishop's episcopal representative to the Armed Services. In 1974 Bishop Bardsley ended 18 years of service as chairman of the Church of England's Men's Society. He has led several evangelistic missions in the U.S. and addressed the Episcopal Church's 1964 General Convention in St. Louis.
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The grants board and the vestry of Trinity Parish in New York City has given the remaining 1975 grant funds of $40,000 to the $3.1 million development campaign for Cuttington College, Suacoco, Liberia, according to the Rev. Robert R. Parks, rector of Trinity and leadership gifts chairman of the campaign. Dr. Parks said he hoped the Trinity grant would "be a signal to the Church and a challenge to rise to the occasion of the Cuttington fund drive. "
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, C.A. -- A directory containing the names and addresses of the bishops and clergy of the Ninth Province of the Episcopal Church has been published by the office of the Executive Secretary of the Province. The directory reveals that the Province has 152 active clergy, not all of them parochial. Most of the clergy are young men, and three-fourths of the 13 dioceses of the Province have no retired clergy (there are only 16 retired clergy in the Province). The dioceses with the largest number of priests are Puerto Rico with 41 and Central and South Mexico with 32. There are 23 Anglican bishops in Latin America of whom 11 belong to Province Nine of the Episcopal Church. Most of the bishops are natives, a change from the situation five years ago. The publication also includes information on all the Anglican bishops of Latin America, on Latin clergy residing in the U.S., and addresses of various Anglican and ecumenical international organizations. The directory lists 44 Latin clergy who reside in the U.S., some of whom are working with Spanish-speaking people.
WINDHOEK, Namibia -- Bishop Colin O'Brien Winter, who was expelled by South African authorities from Namibia in 1972, has been overwhelmingly confirmed as head of the Anglican Church in Namibia. A resolution drawn up by some white Anglicans at a recent meeting of the Synod called on Bishop Winter to resign as Bishop of Damaraland, a diocese that encompasses the entire territory of Namibia, was defeated by a vote of 40 to 14. Namibia, or South West Africa, is administered by South Africa in open defiance of the United Nations and the International Court of Justice. Bishop Winter was ousted from his diocese for supporting black Ovambo tribesmen in a strike against a contract labor system. Bishop Richard Wood, who was expelled from Namibia in June 1975, was also declared the lawfully consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Damaraland.
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- General Theological Seminary, an Episcopal school in New York City, has announced the establishment of the Center for Christian Spirituality, which serves as a focal point and meeting place for men and women, laity and clergy, who are seeking greater depth in the spiritual life. The Center, according to the Rev. Dr. Alan W. Jones, director, seeks to provide a theological critique of much of what passes for "spirituality in the Church today. The programs are of two kinds: academic courses offered at the Seminary; and conferences, retreats and seminars conducted in diocesan and church centers throughout the U.S.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- David N. Laramore, an 80-year-old janitor, was ordained an Episcopal deacon recently by Bishop James L. Duncan of Southeast Florida. Mr. Laramore came to the U. S. from the Bahamas 60 years ago to begin seminary training, but found the quota on "colored" seminarians was already filled. He helped to organize St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden and lay reader. He is the father of 11 children, including a Black Muslim minister in Chicago, and he has 15 grandchildren.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Prince George's County Council in Maryland has rejected an application of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to build a planned community which would include low income housing and other facilities for the elderly. Council members, who voted against the proposal 7 to 4, said the plan was premature, poorly located and a potential source of traffic congestion. The county planning staff had recommended approval, calling the proposal "one of the best" it had seen. Council member Floyd E. Wilson, a leading supporter of the project and the only black on the council, charged that the proposal was rejected "largely because it included low-income housing." The property for the proposed project was willed to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington by W. Seton Belt.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- At a recent meeting of the board of trustees of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, a resolution was adopted expressing "its anguish over and strong disapproval of the actions of one of our own past Board members and present Honorary Member, the Rev. Jeannette Piccard, in apparent violation of the Canons and the authority of the Church." Mrs. Piccard was one of 11 women deacons participating in a disputed ordination service in Philadelphia in July 1974. A second resolution adopted by the board reaffirmed its faithfulness "to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and to the proper Episcopal authority as invitations are extended to those who will function or celebrate officially at the Eucharist at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary."