Aboriginal Anglicans move toward self-governing church

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The trend toward Native self-government has taken another step, this time in the church. A group of Aboriginal Anglicans has agreed to work toward the creation of "a new, self-determining community, within the Anglican Church of Canada."

The decision arises from a consultation of 20 Anglican leaders which was called to advise the church on priorities. The group, which included members of the church's Council for Native Ministries and Aborigjnal members of other national committees, presented a statement to the church's national executive council, meeting in Winnipeg May 6.

The statement invites the Anglican Church "to covenant with us, the Indigenous Anglicans of Canada, in our vision of a new and enriched journey."

"We are elated by how clearly we all felt led to this unanimous vision," said Donna Bomberry, chair of the Council for Native Ministries. "We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit all through the gathering. Every day we shared traditional (Aboriginal religious) teachings, scripture readings, the Eucharist and biblical reflection."

"We feel like new missionaries," said the Rev. Arthur Anderson, an Aboriginal member of the national executive council. "We are bringing a proposal to our church for a new spiritual relationship between ourselves and non-Native Anglicans."

Archbishop Micheal Peero, the Primate of the Anglican Church,. notes that the church began a fundamental review of its relationship with Native people 25 years ago, after a national report called its practises into question.

"Since that time, we've worked at ways to increase our sensitivity to the needs and hopes of Aboriginal people. The dialogue that will be created by this initiative is a further step along that road.

"This is a sign of increased self-confidence, and a perception within the Aboriginal community that the rest of the church is ready and willing for this dialogue," he said. "Much of that dialogue will take place in local congregations and in diocese."

Aboriginal people are estimated to make up about four per cent of Canadian Anglicans. There are approximately 210 Aboriginal congregations, 70 Aboriginal clergy, and two "suffragan" (assistant) bishops.