by Jonn Lavinnder
When writing an editorial I'm keenly aware that some people may know a great deal about the subject I'm writing about, and others will know nothing whatsoever. I prefer not to repeat what others have written, especially when they have expert knowledge of a particular subject.
This month I was set to inform our readership about issues that Diocesan Editors across Canada are currently dealing with. Then I received a communiqué not to disclose this information. It seems the downturn of the economy is having its effect everywhere with layoffs and cutbacks. Of course, the good news is that we have turned the corner economically, but not necessarily with respect to decreasing numbers in our churches.
It takes time before we see the impact of a particular social trend. With respect to The HighWay, the changes involve new media, such as the Internet and its offshoots "blogging," "facebook," and "twitter." In the same way that fewer young people are going to church, fewer young people are reading newspapers. However, the majority of Anglicans prefer to read a printed copy. I remind you of this just in case you are asked.
Another disturbing cutback arrived in my email box this week concerning KAIROS. CIDA, a government funding agency, completely cut funds to KAIROS initiatives without an explanation. KAIROS is a church based non-governmental organization that represents seven of Canada’s largest denominations. It works on a range of social justice issues, including human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The total cost of their proposal was $9,211,483 over four years (CIDA contributes just over $7 million of that amount). This is consistent with previous levels of CIDA funding to KAIROS. One way this cutback might be reversed is though concerned individuals contacting local Members of Parliament.
On a positive note, it seems with the appointment of our new Metropolitan Archbishop John Privett; the appointment of the Rev. Barbara Andrews as Bishop Suffragan for the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior; and now the nomination of Bishop-elect David Irving to the Diocese of Saskatoon, Kootenay Diocese is supplying top notch clerical administrators to the rest of Canada.
