 |
|
|
| |
Further information on the decision of St Bede’s Anglican Church to join the Anglican Network
in Canada |
... pdf version |
| |
 |
|
| |
19 October 2008
The Anglican Journal reported 16 October 2008 that the Rev Bob Bettson, rector of the South Parkland parish which once included St Bede’s together with four other parishes, says he “was not consulted” about St Bede’s general meeting prior to the parishioners voting to realign with the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC).
Anglican Network in Canada response
The Rev Bettson was fully aware of the impending general congregational meeting.
| • |
Notice of St Bede’s general meeting was called and posted in accordance with diocesan Canon 32 (a Diocese of Brandon bylaw) 14 days in advance of the meeting. |
| • |
Having been told on September 28 of the impending congregational meeting and its purpose, Rev Bettson came to the church on Sunday, October 5, presumably intending to dissuade the parishioners. This was only the second time he had visited the parish in the year since he became incumbent. |
| • |
Later that week, he returned and removed the legally posted notice of the congregational meeting on the church door and replaced it with a notice of his own saying the meeting was cancelled. At that time, Rev Bettson advised a St Bede’s warden (lay leader) that he would be at the October 15 congregational meeting but failed to attend. |
| • |
The canons (bylaws) of the diocese clearly give the church wardens the right and responsibility to call the general meetings of the parish in the case of the “absence or neglect” of the incumbent.
| • |
The incumbent visited St Bede’s only once in the year prior to the general meeting being called. |
| • |
He also failed to call a 2008 general congregational meeting for St Bede’s. |
|
| • |
On October 17, the Rev Jona Weitzel, who has faithfully ministered to the St Bede’s congregation over a number of years, wrote and posted a letter to the Bishop of Brandon relinquishing her licence. On October 18, she received a licence from Bishop Donald Harvey of the Anglican Network in Canada, under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. |
... back to "News releases" main page
|
|
|
 |
