Sunday, June 4, 2006

Buddhist, Hindu displays at cathedral cause controversy in New Zealand
 
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s06060022.htm
 
By Rosemary Francis in Challenge Weekly, New Zealand
Special to ASSIST News Service
 
 
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (ANS) -- A major rift is developing in the Anglican community in Christchurch, New Zealand, over events at ChristChurch Cathedral.

Conservative and evangelical voices in the church are taking the cathedral administration to task in the belief it has gone too far in promoting religious diversity, causing offence to many.

Late last year the Cathedral hosted an event to launch a police manual for dealing with people of different religions. The event included Krishna dancers, a Buddhist prayer and a Muslim imam praying to Allah.

Conservative Anglicans were shocked that their leaders had allowed what they considered to be idolatry. Their frustration was voiced by the organization Anglican Mainstream, which sent the Bishop a letter of complaint, signed by many clergy.

Bishop David Coles responded by calling a meeting to discuss interfaith dialogue. With inadequate opportunity to discuss real issues, the rift deepened and a further meeting is being requested.

Two issues this year have raised the temperature considerably.

On May 8 a statue of Buddha was put up on cathedral land to celebrate International Peace Day - and Buddha’s birthday.

It was the sixth time Dean Peter Beck (and his predecessor) had given permission for church space to be used for what the conservatives called idol worship. Cathedral chairs were also lent for the occasion.

This event sparked yet another letter of complaint to the dean, calling for an assurance that the Second Commandment would no longer be violated by Cathedral officials.

The third issue is the cathedral reception planned for Pentecost Sunday (June 4) of an altar-frontal cloth which contains a Sanskrit text, whose English translation reads: “From the unreal, lead me to the real, From darkness, lead me to the light. From death, lead me to immortality.”

This Sanskrit text, found in the ancient Hindu Upanishads, is also used in contemporary Hindu worship. Opponents say it is not focused on Christ, will confuse new converts from Hinduism and is deeply upsetting to much of the diocese.

Letters of concern are circulating and at the time this issue of Challenge Weekly went to press Bishop Coles had been warned that if what they call “an insulting and divisive cloth” was not rejected, there would be visible protest action at the Pentecost Service, and future services would be boycotted.

Anglican Mainstream NZ is a network of clergy and laity committed to advocating for orthodox faith, promoting biblical values, and building strong churches.

Formed two years ago, Mainstream has worked both publicly and behind the scenes in church politics to stem the tide of liberalism. The organisation is gaining strength as lay people, concerned about such issues, want their voices heard.

Andrew Allan-Johns, vicar of Rangiora and spokesperson for Mainstream in Christchurch, said: “The cathedral is the mother church of the diocese, and what goes on there concerns all Anglicans.

“We wonder if they really believe that only Jesus is ‘the way, the truth and the life’. These and other events hint that an alien theology is at work in the cathedral, and it behooves faithful Anglicans to stand up for the apostolic faith.”

Representatives to the general synod in May were encouraged to use an orthodox voice on important issues. There was concern that little effort was made to consult with, and represent, divergent views in the diocese.

This has prompted Anglican Mainstream to bring a motion calling for greater transparency and accountability to the Christchurch synod in September.

The Cathedral Chapter has expressed surprise at the passionate outburst of clergy and laity over the three issues and is attempting to pour oil on the troubled waters. Many Anglicans feel this document to be “too little and too late.”

In defense of its actions of encouraging religious diversity in the cathedral, the chapter said: “We are not ‘walking down the road of relativism.’ Rather, our involvement with the Buddhist community is an authentic part of our engagement with the increasing broadness of Christchurch and is part of our ongoing dialogue with people of other faiths.”

On the issue of the altar cloth, the cathedral letter argues that it has “gospel resonances” and likens it to Paul using the image of the “unknown God.”

“We believe the altar cloth attests to the saving power of Christ for all humanity.”

To Mainstream this begged the question of wisdom in selection of texts. It questioned why Hindu holy writings which are still used in pagan worship today were chosen ahead of a Bible verse?

Cathedral authorities acknowledge the central role of the cathedral and the importance of the altar as the gathering place of diocesan community of faith.

Unity is vital and, the letter admits, “We are very conscious of the strains within our Anglican communion at present and do not wish to exacerbate them.”

Under a compromise proposed, the alter cloth was to be received with thanks last Sunday but would not be placed on the altar until a process of listening to the views of the wider church is held.

Meanwhile, the offending cloth was to be “exhibited for visitors and worshippers alike.”

The Cathedral chapter has admitted giving permission for the statue of Buddha to be placed on cathedral land, but argued that “it is not part of the consecrated land of the Cathedral.”

The chapter’s reason for allowing it was that the Cathedral “represents the spiritual heart and soul of the city for many who are not Anglicans or even Christians ... the Square where our land merges into that of the city, and we work in partnership ... to enhance the life of our city community.”

The Chapter said it was “committed to continuing in offering hospitality and engaging in dialogue with people of other faiths.”

Saying it recognized the need for unity, the chapter said it was “suggesting to the standing committee [of the diocese] that a representative group be set up to explore this issue and to offer advice in matters of inter-faith dialogue and worship to ministry units when asked.”