Just Visiting?

May 16, 2011 5 Comments

++ Ben Kwashi

Tonight I attended the 27th annual HIV/AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service at S. Matthew-in-the-City here in Auckland. While we know that HIV/AIDS is not a disease unique to the gay community, the emphasis of the memorial was definitely on the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on the wider gay community here in New Zealand and abroad. As I sat there in this beautiful (Anglican) Church in the middle of New Zealand’s largest city, my mind began to tick over. I thought and reflected on many things, from the church’s action, or inaction in regards to the Homosexuality “issue” to the church’s unwillingness to make a definitive and prophetic statement on the “issue” of ordaining openly LGBT people. As I mulled over these ideas my mind turned to the upcoming Common Life Missions Conference that is to be held here in New Zealand in the coming week. While I have my own ideas on mission (mainly that of missioning to our own people before going overseas) it was not to those ideas that I instinctively turned, instead it was to the keynote speaker of the conference, the Most Reverend Ben Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos.

++Kwashi is probably most famous for the attacks that were carried out on him and his family during the religious unrest in Nigeria. He is also known as a motivational and electric preacher, evangelist and anti-gay cleric. This, to say the least, is cause for concern for myself and I hope the wider church in Aotearoa- New Zealand and Polynesia. As ++Kwashi is the keynote speaker he is not here as a tourist, or visitor but as a (Arch)Bishop of the Anglican Church on an official visit. While this may all seem benign and he is simply here to inspire the conference with his powerful voice and electric charisma I genuinely think Anglicans across Aotearoa should be concerned  for the message this sends to the international community and, probably more importantly to our LGBT brothers and sisters here in New Zealand. Our reception, and invitation no less to ++Kwashi sends the message that we support him, his diocese and by implication the church in Nigeria. Their views on Homosexuality and their lack of prophetic witness especially in light of the recent, sexuality fuelled violence in Nigeria is reason enough for us to maintain our distance from the Nigerian Church. So to invite a bishop of the church of Nigeria to Aotearoa- New Zealand flies in the face of what I thought it meant to be Anglican in these islands.

Some time ago the presiding bishop of TEC, Katherine Jefferts-Schori visited New Zealand. Not on an official visit, not to speak at a Missions conference, not on an official invite but as a “private citizen.” It even went so far that in one diocese of the Church in New Zealand she was forbidden from not only preaching (to which she was invited to do so by the Dean) but from entering the cathedral at all! While I can think of one reason(I wonder if the Nigerian Church’s stance towards TEC had anything to do with it?) for her not being here in an official capacity the fact that ++Kwashi is being shown more hospitality than the presiding bishop of TEC was even offered also sends a bad sign to the church in Aotearoa. It says that we are willing to fall into line for the biggest bully on the playground (Nigeria is the second largest province in the Anglican Communion) rather than prophetically support those on the margins. In short, we are willing to sell our soul to be popular with the right people.

Even if we were to ignore the issues I have already raised there are still several other reasons why I think it is absolutely ridiculous for ++Kwashi, or any bishop from Nigeria for that matter, to be received here in an official capacity. In 2005 the Nigerian Church reworded its constitution to redefine its view of the Anglican Communion. It no longer recognises provinces who are in Communion with Canterbury as part of the Anglican Communion but rather “all Anglican Churches, Dioceses and Provinces that hold and maintain the ‘Historic Faith, Doctrine, Sacrament and Discipline of the one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.” What does this statement even mean? From my reading of this part of their constitution it would mean that the Province of Aotearoa- New Zealand and Polynesia aren’t even a part of the Anglican Communion according to the Nigerian Church. Why then are we even entertaining the remotest idea of receiving a bishop from the Church of Nigeria here in an official capacity? Not only is the Nigerian church redefining what it means to be Anglican, they are themselves contradicting the Anglican tradition that they profess to be so fervently defending. In 2006 the Reverend Martyn Minns was elected by the Church of Nigeria as the Missionary bishop for the Convocation of Anglicans in North America. Minns was consecrated in Abuja, Nigeria and installed as Missionary Bishop in 2007. That consecration and installation alone is a more schismatic act than anything ever done by TEC or any LGBGT clergy and yet we, the Church in Aotearoa- New Zealand and Polynesia are content to invite ++Kwashi not only to attend the conference but be the keynote speaker, the mind boggles.

I was expecting a few things when i decided to attend the candlelight service tonight; a predominantly LGBT congregation, a reflective mood and a good service, and I was right. What I wasn’t expecting however was the type of reflection that occurred. I wasn’t expecting to be challenged, I wasn’t expecting to be thinking about the state of the worldwide communion and I certainly wasn’t expecting to write a blog post when I got home. So I thank God for the time and the opportunity to reflect and remember. Not only about the horrors of HIV/AIDS but also to reflect on the challenges that face the wider church and all of us that call it home.

As I write this I am mindful of those who are affected by this horrible disease, both the sufferers and their loved ones. But mostly my mind turns to those who fought their battle with courage and strength and who are now at rest. Eternal rest grant unto them O LORD, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, and rise in glory.

AMEN.

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Why I Weep.

May 2, 2011 7 Comments

Bin Laden

As I look at my Facebook homepage and my Twitter feeds I see updates from my friends and family, people who I thought I knew well…I was wrong.  Several of the updates are just cut and pastes from news reports or URLs that lead to a video report of the hottest news off the press, I am of course talking about the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Among those status updates however, are ones rejoicing in the killing of Bin Laden, some even giving thanks to God for his death, they are the updates that I weep about.

President Obama, in his address to the nation and the world repeatedly talks of the American Army’s mission to kill or capture Bin Laden, Obama says “And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against Al-Qaeda…” This statement in itself is enough to cause anyone to pause, and I think it hits home more when it is written in black and white than recited from the comfort of the White House. This statement shows an inherent inconsideration for life, an attitude that I, as a Christian cannot accept. I think most Christians would testify to the sanctity of life, and even Obama himself refers to this sanctity in his address. How is it then, that this sanctity can be violated in a way that can only be described as sacrilegious, and yet the world rejoices? Osama Bin Laden is a bad man, fact. Does that mean that we are free to kill him? What makes us different to Bin Laden? How is the killing (not to mention the collateral damage) any different to the atrocities that he himself perpetrated? Simply put, there isn’t a difference. Our difference was our deeply held conviction that all humankind are created in the image of God and because of that every human life is inherently sacred. This isn’t a claim that only Christians can make, scripture doesn’t tell us that only the people we like are created in the image of God. It doesn’t say that only people who are the same colour as us are created in the image of God. It says that all are created in the image of God, and that includes Osama Bin Laden. How then can we rejoice in his death? How can any Christian, anywhere possibly rejoice in the death and brutal killing of any fellow human being? Now, I know some would say, and some have blogged that Bin Laden’s death was justice. Justice for 9/11, justice for all of those who have died in the fight against terrorism. Osama met his end in a violent and extreme way and he deserved it. I am sorry but as soon as we begin to be as flippant with the value of life as those who take it away in the first place we are no longer witnessing to Christ crucified and risen. We begin to move away from what it means to be followers of Christ. When we begin to rejoice in the death of another person then we move away from Christ full stop. There is no grey area on this issue, Christians everywhere should be condemning this attitude that has reared its ugly head in the fall out of Osama’s death.

To rejoice in the death of another person, save that of rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection, is to do a disservice to our calling and is an act of contempt to the cross of Christ. Bin Laden’s death, in the great scheme of things is an almost non-issue. All it has done is given America and other countries justification for what has been 10 years of pain, loss, grief and death. His death will no doubt re-energise what is an already unjust war (not that there is such a thing as a just war.) Bin Laden’s death isn’t something to rejoice about, but to weep about. His death has just bought the world another 10 years of possible pain and inevitable suffering. And even more than the fact that people are rejoicing in death, I weep because of that.

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The Ongoing Journey…

April 25, 2011 1 Comment

Tominika Tapu

The last few months have been an amazing experience. First of all the opportunity to take time out each day, read, reflect and share with my fellow postulants is an amazing gift and one that I am only too grateful to receive.

Over the last few months I have read on various subjects from the founding of our order, to St. Dominic himself, to Blessed Jordan of Saxony to a sermon preached in the 1200s and most recently reading the devotional book, 15 Days of Prayer with St Dominic. My Postulant class and I have also been lucky enough to be guided through somewhat of a retreat in prayer by Br. Tom Hudson, OPA. Br. Tom took us through the 9 Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic. Using and reflecting on 2 ways of prayer a week, we were guided through the 9 Ways over a month of reflection and practice.

Each week I have been challenged, and each week I feel I have grown. As I read throughout the history of the Order, its early adherents and writings from third parties, my sense of calling from God to the Anglican Order of Preachers is reinforced week by week. A very special part of this calling is the fact that it doesn’t happen in isolation. Although we are spread across the face of the earth, the intimate sense I feel whenever I receive an email from someone in the order, or whenever I log on to the Postulant blog is amazing.

As I continue to travel this road with Christ, and Dominic, I give thanks to God for this very rare opportunity, and the calling he has placed on my heart to fulfil that calling with the Anglican Order of Preachers. I thank each and every person who has contributed to, and helped me along the way, the journey isn’t over, and if truth be told it never is. This calling demands the commitment of a life long journey of reflection, prayer and study, I am only a few months in, but I am loving every moment of it.

Kia tau tonu te rangimarie,

Christopher.

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An Act of God?

March 14, 2011 1 Comment

Christ Church Cathedral, before and after.

As I sit on the flight back to Auckland from Christchurch I can’t help but reflect on the  goings ons of the last couple of weeks. It has been just shy of 3 weeks since Christchurch, the place I was brought up, was rocked by an earthquake killing more than 150 people and injuring scores more.

I must confess, I am not one of those brave New Zealanders that jumped on a plane straight away to come to Christchurch and help in the rescue and recovery effort, nor am I one of those who came to Christchurch to help out with food or water, or offering an open ear and warm hug. No, my reasons for coming to Christchurch were purely selfish, I came to help out my family. My family home was hit rather hard by the quake on the 22/02/2011 and so I flew to Christchurch (at the request of my father) to help him try and patch up the house…it was a lost cause however and I now fear that the house may need to be demolished. It was while I was in Christchurch helping my family however, that the inevitable conversations happened. Some sad, some happy, some hopeful, others hopeless, and now, as I sit on my flight back to Auckland, back to running water and power. Back to perfectly intact buildings and a place where liquefaction might as well be a foreign word, my mind wonders.

The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Beck has become somewhat of an overnight national celebrity, and one of his remarks about the events of the 22/02/2011 has especially spoken to a lot of New Zealanders. When asked about his thoughts of the earthquake the Dean responded:

“God is not in the earthquake. The earthquake was not an act of God. The earthquake was the planet doing its thing the way the planet does. The act of God and the miracles has been the extraordinary way people have pulled together, reached out to one other. The act of God has been in the tears of people, in the weeping, in the lament. The act of God is in the compassion people are showing to one another. The act of God is in the courage people are showing.”

Anyone would agree that that was a good response, or at least as good as any response could have been considering the circumstances. Although it may have been a good response, was it good enough? The Christian church loves to talk about the idea of the “Creator God” or at least a God who ordered creation, so how does that theology go with the response given by the Dean? Scientifically speaking, the Dean is 100% correct. The earthquake was an example of the earth doing what the earth does. But if we believe in a creator God than we must also accept that God, however indirectly is responsible for this earthquake.

The big questions that come up at a time like this are not unique to the specific event or fallout of that event, they are rather a result of the human response to suffering. Long before the events of 22/02/2011 there have been (and continue to be) suffering on an alarmingly huge scale the world over, most of which is of our own making. The recent earthquake in Christchurch opened up an entire city’s eyes, and indeed an entire country’s eyes to suffering that happens on a daily basis around the world. This fact however, doesn’t make events like these any easier to handle, and it certainly doesn’t make it easy for churches and/or ministers to answer the big questions that come with these types of tragedies. I am not writing this in an attempt to offer an answer, to be honest I am still working through my own thoughts in regard to the earthquake. What i am offering though, is a change in how we approach situations like this, and suffering generally.

It is natural for us to try and place blame when we are faced by tragedies. It is a reaction that was built into our being when we were still infants. Something goes wrong, the reason is assessed, we find who was responsible, that person/thing is then held accountable and then we can carry on living. It is a natural part of how we live. But that process doesn’t always fit the situation. Insurance companies like to call events like the recent earthquake “an act of God.” When something goes wrong, from the unexpected death of a baby to a flood to an earthquake, people need answers, and when those answers can’t be found it is easy for us to blame God. It is this approach that we need to change. God’s shoulders are big enough to carry any burden or responsibility, but that doesn’t mean that that’s where the burden should be laid. We need to shift from a theology of “why” to a theology of “where?” In an attempt to avoid this post turning into a thesis I will go into what I mean by a theology of where in a later post. But to briefly explain, I think the Dean was halfway there. The Dean rightfully pointed out that God is in the aftermath, God was in the human response to this tragedy. But I think the Dean forgot that God was also in the earthquake. God was with those 160 people as they lost their lives to this disaster. God was with those who were buried for upwards of 6 hours. God was with the families and loved ones as they waited to hear the fate of their brothers, sisters, mums, dads, daughters and sons. God was in the earthquake.

Once again, I am not offering answers or a definitive statement on suffering in general or this tragedy in particular. At most I am thinking out loud and trying to come to grips with my own questions. I simply type these thoughts up and post them in the hope that they may help someone on their way to reaching a place where, although they may not be able to get all the answers, they are at least at peace with the questions.

He whakaaro noa iho tenei. It’s just a thought…

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Lent!

March 13, 2011 Leave a comment

Anglican Order of Preachers (O.P.A)

Well, we are 3 days into lent and as I scan my Facebook page I see status updates from my friends asking what they should give up for lent. I am not a fan of the ‘give up’ sort of lent, instead I advocate a ‘take up’ sort of lent, it is far better to try to create a new habit than to temporarily give up a bad one.

For me this is going to be a Lenten season full of prayer and reflection. Not just the sort of flick the switch, auto pilot type of prayer and reflection, but a deliberate, present type of prayer and reflection. It is a habit that I hope to continue after Easter. This Lenten season also has extra significance for me, it is my first as a Dominican, or more correctly an aspiring Dominican. Throughout this Lenten season I will be exploring more fully, my call to the Anglican expression of Dominican Community. I will practice Dominics nine ways of prayer as well as work through 14 Days of Prayer with St. Dominic. It isn’t a journey I take alone, but through the wonder of the internet, blogging and emails I will be just one part of a class of Postulants and seasoned Dominicans exploring spirituality and what it means to be a servant of Christ in 2011.

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