Traditional Canadian Anglicans Unanimously agreed to re-unite with the See of Peter

Members of the Church of England in Canada (or Anglicans) who remained faithful to Anglican Tradition had finally agreed to come back home to Rome. The move was sparked by a series of doctrinal dispute between the “conservatives” and “modernists” within its hierarchy Anglicans who favored on having women bishops. For the Traditional Anglicans, this exploration to modernism has gone too far that it would be hard for the that church from retrieving its rich tradition. Exodus from the Anglican Church to the Catholic Church had begun since 1992 when the Anglican Church ordained its first woman priest.

Here is the Dean’s Report on Synod 2010. Source: VirtueOnline

The Eighth Provincial Synod and Thirteenth Diocesan Synod of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada were held simultaneously at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre in Surrey, B.C., July 12 to 16, 2010. In attendance were the Canadian House of Bishops (Bishop Peter Wilkinson, Metropolitan and Bishop Ordinary; Bishop Craig Botterill, Suffragan for Atlantic Canada and Chancellor; Bishop Carl Reid, Suffragan for Central Canada and Apostolic Commissary; Bishop Robert Mercer, Assistant Bishop; along with the TAC Primate, Archbishop John Hepworth); eighteen members of the House of Clergy; and thirty members of the House of Laity; together with a number of observers and guests. The first evening began with Evensong, dinner, and then a wine and cheese reception hosted by the ACCC Parishes of the Lower Mainland.

While there was ample time for fellowship, much of our time was dedicated to the business of Synod. The Synod delegates received an address from the Primate, Archbishop John Hepworth, on the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, together with a discussion of the various issues involved and a time frame for the implementation of a proposed Ordinariate for Canada (as well as other Provinces within the Traditional Anglican Communion).

In order to facilitate open and free discussion among the Houses of Synod, each member of the House of Clergy and the House of Laity was asked in turn to speak their mind and provide their thoughts, questions, and concerns about unity with the See of Peter and the proposed Canadian Ordinariate. Following a day and half of discussions, a vote was taken in each of the two Houses as to their support (or not) for unity and the establishment of a Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate.

The result of this vote was unanimous support from the House of Clergy, and an overwhelming vote of support from the House of Laity (with only two opposed and three abstentions out of 30 lay delegates).

With clear support for the petition of the Canadian House of Bishops for full communion and visible union with the See of Peter, the Synod proceeded to pass a resolution enabling the Metropolitan (Bishop Peter Wilkinson), by and with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council, to enact the necessary canonical ordinances and rules for the establishment of the Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate.

In addition, the House of Clergy elected the members of the Interim Governing Council for the implementation of the proposed Ordinariate (consisting of Bishop Peter Wilkinson, Bishop Craig Botterill, Bishop Carl Reid, Dean Shane Janzen, Canon Richard Harris, and Father Colin O'Rourke), which in turn nominated and elected Bishop Peter Wilkinson to be the first Bishop Ordinary of the proposed Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate.

(The) Synod also approved a housekeeping amendment to the Constitution of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, making the Provincial Council identical in composition to the membership of the Diocesan Council [which are responsible for advising the Metropolitan and Diocesan Bishop in the governance and management of the ACCC and Diocese between Synods].

(The) Synod then proceeded to elect the members of the Provincial/Diocesan Council(s): Ex Officio members: The Metropolitan and Bishop Ordinary (Rt. Rev. Peter Wilkinson); the two Suffragan Bishops: Rt. Rev. Carl Reid and Rt. Rev. Craig Botterill (who is also the Chancellor of the Diocese); the Dean of the Diocese, the Very Rev. Shane Janzen; the Registrar, Mr. Jim Spencer; the Treasurer, Canon Don Malins; the Clerical Secretary to Synod, Father Sean Henry; the Lay Secretary, Mr. Vern Orr; together with the following elected members representing the four regions of the ACCC/Diocese:

Canon Richard Harris and Mr. Stephen Langille (Atlantic Canada); Father Kipling Cooper and Mrs. Jill Wayne (Central Canada); Father Colin O'Rourke and Mrs. Margaret Onoferychuk (the Prairies); and Canon Michael Birch and Mr. Rory Kulmala (British Columbia). The four lay members of the Diocesan Council, together with Mr. Gary Freeman and the Diocesan Treasurer (Canon Don Malins), comprise the membership of the Diocesan Finance Committee.

In presenting the financial statements and proposed three-year budget of the Diocese to Synod, the Acting Treasurer (Bishop Carl Reid) pointed out the need for continued support from parishes and individuals in maintaining the operations of the Diocese. As well, the need for more effective communication between the Diocesan Office and the parishes (rectors and wardens) was stressed, together with the requirement for Parishes to submit to the Diocesan Office timely and updated information on the names and addresses of the parish officers along with other vital parochial statistics.

To ensure that the Restricted Funds of the Diocese are protected from any potential litigation against the Diocese, the Diocesan Council voted to move the funds and investment portfolios of the two Trust funds established by Synod 2007 out of the Diocese accounts into separate accounts held directly by the Trustees of the two Trusts (i.e., the Bishop de Catanzaro Memorial Fund for clergy education and training, administered by the Board of Regents of St. Bede's Anglican Catholic Theological College; and the Bishopric Endowment Fund for the support of the office of the Metropolitan).

In closing, may I say that the focus of this Synod, as with that of previous Synods, was the worship and praise of Almighty God (made even more beautiful by the presence at this Synod of our own Cathedral Choir, Choirmaster and Organist); the proclamation of Christ's saving Truth; and faithful witness to the faith, order and discipline to Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

Those in attendance came away from Synod 2010 with a renewed sense of optimism for the future and a clear vision for the present. With the overwhelming support of clergy and laity for unity with the See of Peter and the establishment of a Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate, our Diocese is now able to move forward united, renewed, and hopeful.

May we continue to be one in proclaiming the truth in Christ Jesus our Saviour, and pass the same on unimpaired to future Anglican Catholics here and around the world.

The Very Reverend Shane B. Janzen, OSG DD

Dean and Rector

Welcome Back Home our brethren in the Lord!