The Anglican Church of Canada’s support of its global partners has strengthened those partners’ capacity to carry out their local ministries, reports Andrea Mann, director of Global Relations.
For example, a $15,000 contribution to the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) supported regional workshops to address human trafficking and modern-day slavery across the continent. Raising awareness, identifying new leaders, and building solidarity among participants, the workshops are part of the African Anglican response to the Anglican Communion’s priority of combatting this scourge.
Support ($7,500) for the Canadian Companions of the Diocese of Jerusalem helps focus Canadian support for the courageous and generous servant ministry of the diocese of Jerusalem to people of all faiths. The Anglican Church in the Land of the Holy One is a key and beloved partner of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The Companions, through Jerusalem Sunday and other means, notes Ms. Mann, have raised over $100,000 “for the Penman Medical Clinic in the West Bank for the purchase of diagnostic equipment, for the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre for Children with Disabilities (supporting water therapy programs) and Al Ahli Arab Hospital, serving the “poorest of the poor” in Gaza.”
Finally, 60 years of support for the Episcopal Church of Cuba in its long exile from The Episcopal Church have been grounded in a relationship of love and respect, often focused in the ministries of primates—Ted Scott, Michael Peers, and Fred Hiltz. With a decade of strong leadership and encouragement from their current bishop, Griselda Delgado, the Cuban church has turned to its communities with the mind of a servant. Canadian financial support is and has been an integral part of building its capacity for this transformation. In 2019, that support included:
- $15,000 for teaching and preparing 18 Cuban Anglican ordination candidates and lay leaders for parish ministries;
- $7,500 supported the salaries of two full-time Anglican professors at the ecumenical seminary in Matanzas;
- $20,000 towards stipends of all 29 Cuban clergy, whose monthly wage is below $100;
- $15,000 for the Young Adult Summer gathering of more than 30 young people for spiritual formation, community building, and leadership training. Many serve their home parishes as Sunday school teachers and youth leaders, beginning a life of ordained or lay service to church and community.