St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-08-06


testant Episcopal church of Al
land and other affiliates through
out the world, jointly known as
the Anglican Communion, Is "A
once ina lifetime event for mem
bers OF the Anglican faith.
The last Anglican Congress was
held in England In 1908.
First Time Outside British isles
Also this In the first time In the
history OF the church, and the
birth of the church goes back TO
Henry VIII, that the congress has
ever been held outside of tho
British Isles.
At the last Lambeth conference.
the delibcrative body OF the
church, held In England in 1913,
It was agreed to hold an Anglican
Congress midway between every
two Lambeth conferences.
While the congress Is not leg
!slauve or policy-making body and
Ia only a consultative group, the
discussions win undoubtedly have
"A profound effect on the activities
OF the church.
There are n large number Of
African and Asian delegates at.
tending the congress,
When the British Empire was
being founded the Church Of Eng
land followed the flag and es-
tablished missions In the colonies.
This was true in America also
and the church found itself In
troubled waters at the time OF the
American Revolution because of
the churchs close ties with Eng
land.
But today I'm many parts of the
British Empire, particularly In the
colonies that are seeking indie
pcndence, thiss ituation is almost
reversed.
African bishops Active For
Freedom
For example, the bishop Of Jo-
hannesburg, South Africa, The Rt.
Rev. Ambrose Reeves, has been
one of the most out-spoken OPP
ponents OF the Malan govern
ment's racist policies,
The Rt. Rev. Solomon odutola,
bishop of Nigeria, one OF the
African delegates at the confer
cnce said in an interview that the
leaders Of the church in West
Africa are In the forefront Of the
struggle for independence Of
Nigeria.
lie went on TO say that for n
long time the only schools avail
able for Africans were the church
schools and this undoubtedly at
tracted a large number OF Afr-
cans to the clergy, some Of whom
went into politics.
Nigeria, he said. il scheduled to
receive q dominion status in 1857
and an affert is now being made
10 prepare the people TO assume
the responsibilities Of self-govern-
ment.
The bishop also has a large
number Of white clergymen under
his jurisdiction.
This Is true wherever there are
=, African or Asian bishops presid-
ing over a diocese and in a great
many parishes there are African
and Asian priests pastoring In
terracial or mixed congregations,
Ahead OF u. 4. Church
In this respect the church Is far
ahead Of its American counter
part. In the United States, there
are no Negroes pastoring an in.
terracial church and the only
American born Negro bishop, the
TT. Rev Bravid Harris. presIdes
over Liberia.
When IL was decided that the
congress was TO be held In Ameri-
ca. the diocese OF Minnesota was
chosen because Il was felt that II
was probably more typically
American" than any other do
cese.
81. Thomas, Minneapolis, and
St Phillips, ST. Paul, predomin-
antly Negro" churches, are CO.
hosts along with the churches in
the diocese.
Bishops At Both Churches
Bishops win occupy the pulpits
Of both churches this Sunday as
guest preachers.
The bishop Of Puerto Rico, the
ri. Rev. Albert T., Swift viii
speak At 81. Phillips In 81 Paul
And al ST Thomas in Mime
apolis. the Rt. Rev Harry +.
ITIvaa from Ksnora Ontario,