September 4, 2007 Bishop Matthews of Edmonton to resign

Bishop Victoria Matthews, who broke new ground for women in episcopal ministry and was twice a candidate for primate, or national archbishop, announced on Aug. 2 that she will resign as leader of the diocese of Edmonton, citing that she believes “God is now calling me in a different direction.”

---

September 4, 2007 Legal experts tackle same-sex questions

Conflicting interpretations of the ramifications of General Synod’s recent decisions around same-sex blessings have led the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada to consult with their chancellors (legal advisers).

---

September 4, 2007 A prayerful pause

Canoe tripper Tim Sandell, from St. Mark’s Anglican church, Saskatoon, drifts along near Holy Trinity Anglican church, at Stanley Mission, Sask. The church, built in 1856 and accessible by water only, is the oldest building...

---

September 4, 2007 Appeal helps Journal’s bottom line

Enclosed in this issue of the Anglican Journal is information about the 2007 Anglican Journal Appeal. As always, proceeds of the Appeal are split evenly between the Anglican Journal and the diocesan newspapers, our publishing...

---

September 4, 2007 Foundation ‘branches’ out in 50 years of helping the church

It was the early days of the Anglican Foundation and its first donor, P.H.B. Dawson of Victoria, was peeved. He had been reading the Canadian Churchman (predecessor to the Anglican Journal) and saw the foundation’s austere three-inch-square advertisements with no pictures or graphics that asked such questions as “Are YOU a member of the Anglican Foundation?”

---

September 4, 2007 Clergy test rulings on same-sex blessings

Varying interpretations of the decisions made in June by General Synod about human sexuality have already led one Canadian parish to publicly offer blessings to same-gender unions, and another to say that it would not deny a parishioner’s request for a same-sex marriage.

---

September 4, 2007 Ottawa may close under-used chapels

A comprehensive study of the diocese of Ottawa recommends closing eight little-used rural chapels and allowing another 34 to live out their natural lives with no subsidies. It also recommends establishing a new church in the growing Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven, buying land in areas that have the potential for further growth and boosting resources in many of the remaining 89 churches.

---

September 4, 2007 Academic nominated to truth commission

The general secretary’s office of the Anglican Church of Canada has nominated J. Rick Ponting, professor emeritus (sociology) of the University of Calgary, to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, an important component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

---

September 4, 2007 Pronouncements are never read just by ‘our own’

The Vatican caused a bit of a stir in the otherwise quiet summer by issuing two statements that gave some readers concern that the reforms of the Second Vatican Council were being rolled back. One is the reauthorization of a form...

---

September 4, 2007 Abusive priest jailed

Former Anglican priest Ralph Rowe on July 6 was convicted of additional charges of sexual abuse against boys and sentenced by a judge in Kenora (Ont.) Superior Court to three years in prison.The Kenora Daily Miner & News reported...

---