From here:
By 2012, the Diocese of Niagara is recognized across Canada and internationally for its well trained and highly effective clergy and lay leadership whose life changing collaborative ministry is grounded in covenants between clergy, Bishop and parish.
If there is anything that the Diocese of Niagara has become known for internationally, it is the materialistic, rapacious greed it exhibits in trying to cling on to buildings for which it has little use other than to sell in order to replenish its dwindling coffers. Nevertheless, there’s nothing quite as pretentious as church pretension, so the diocese is putting on a bold face – a lying bold face.
A priest – who really is an effective leader – regaled me with the tale of how he has been threatened by Bishop Michael Bird with cancellation of his license since he has left the diocese for another denomination because of theological differences with the diocese. Bird, unable to hold on to a priest with integrity and talent, is vindictively attempting to punish him because he has violated the most significant diocesan principle mentioned above: subservience – in newspeak, covenant – to the bishop.
The Diocese of Niagara, its bishop, his benighted vision and all diocesan hangers-on will be recognised by history an example of why fervent purging of the transcendent from Christianity is a bad idea.
Their goal of 2012 is grossly optimistic. Such a paradigm shift would require at least 5-7 years AND would require the wholesale termination of more than a handful of incompetent, boring, uncommitted and (dare I say) useless clergy.
Such an observation is not limited to Niagara. The reality however is that the attendance at one conference will not reorient a diocese. If it were that simple we would have done it a long time ago. If Niagara wants to be acknowledged as the preeminent centre for clergy development across the globe then diocesan leadership must make it their singular focus.
And they must dispense with the niceties. Pink slips are in order immediately.
BTW… I am growing tired of your preoccupation with the short-comings in the Diocese’ of New West and Niagara.
I admit they are the current whipping boys of the ACC but let’s be fair.
I think in the interest of equity a moratorium on discussing the said two diocese’ is in order so we can concentrate on evaluting the shortcomings of the other 28.
Interesting and perhaps a good point. The problem is just in these two Dioceses. In my own diocese of Huron we are contemplating the blessing of sin (homosexual relationships). What’s more, at the Parish that I currently attend we have a woman celebrant, who for some reason unknown to me has been omitting the Nicene Creed from the Worship service. She had also been omitting the Collect for the Queen until I pointed out to her that Her Majesty is still the official Head of State of Canada and also the official head of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. We shall a new permament Rector starting in January. Hopefully this person will be better.
Correction.
My second sentance should read:
“The problem is not just in these two Dioceses.”