Steering Committee

Anglican Bishop William Anderson of British Columbia, Canada (pictured right) recently announced the closing of their TEE Centre. This came as a shock to many around the world since the Centre had served as a model for other countries. The program has also been featured in books and articles about TEE.

Upon hearing the news, TEENET Steering Committee Chairperson, Megan Norgate, emailed the Bishop with concerns. The following is the Bishop's recent reply.

Dear Ms. Norgate;

Thank you for your letter of interest in our situation. The brief answer to your question as to whether we can revisit this decision is, unfortunately, no.

The issue was not, and is not, the inherent value of the program. It is simply that the diocese does not have the funds to continue supporting it. That it has survived the past few years has been solely because the diocese used reserves to balance our budget, while closing other programs and reducing staff. Those reserves have now been seriously depleted, and there are no other staff to let go.

Our diocese, which covers the northern third of British Columbia, functions with only 1 staff person other than myself, in the synod office. Such other functions as we need are done off the corner of parish clergy's desks. We simply do not have any other areas where we can reduce costs. Diocesan Executive had to choose between continuing this program, or eliminating support to a number of parishes that are currently struggling financially to survive. The diocese is also working to meet its obligation to the National Church's Residential School Healing Fund, which is an important obligation in the area of restorative justice.

I hope that this helps clarify the reasons for the decision.

Again, my thanks for your interest in our situation.

+William

The "abandoned" students of the diocese TEE programme released the following statement for publication.

We, the undersigned First Nations students of the Caledonia School of Mutual Ministry (CSMM), are appalled by the decision of the Anglican Diocese of Caledonia to dissolve the CSMM and to withdraw their share of funds from the Theological Education by Extension Centre, (TEE Centre), a joint project, 17 years old, with the United Church of Canada, Prince Rupert Presbytery. The CSMM (formerly the Ministry Development Program) has operated for 25 years and helped prepare 48 First Nations and non-First Nations candidates for ordination. During this time, annual averages of 80 - 100 students have attended workshops, the Native Ministry Consortium Summer School at Vancouver School of Theology and the Charles Cook Theological School, Tempe, Arizona.

Our Diocesan program was a major force in the establishment of the Master of Divinity Extension degree for First Nations through the Vancouver School of Theology. This program is unique in the world because it is sensitive to First Nations cultural and religious values.

The Bishop and Executive of the Anglican Diocese of Caledonia chose to allocate their budget of over $500,000 for 2005 in a way which ends the lay and clergy training programs and resources which have been of critical importance to First Nations congregations in the Diocese. We note with approval that the Diocesan share of the National Residential School Settlement Fund continues to be acknowledged. But the elimination of financial support for CSMM and the TEE Centre, which currently has eight (8) First Nations students completing their Masters degree, makes us feel that we are being abandoned. Is the church re-victimizing us once again?_____________________________________

For more information contact Arlene at go2kalum@telus.net OR phone 250-615-1741.

The following are other web articles about the Diocese and about Bishop Anderson. TEENET does not endorse any of these articles or the content of the previously mentioned websites.