A small band of Episcopalians, lay and ordained from the Dioceses of Rochester and Western New York, gathered near the Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario, today to pray for the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada and their retreat leader, Archbishop Williams. We sang Morning Prayer with canticles and hymns, and Easter hymns for two hours. During that time we were visited by several of the Canadian Bishops (who crossed the street to join us). Among them were the Bishops of Montreal, British Columbia, the Arctic and the Archbishop of Rupert's Land. Two plain clothed officers also visited us (an Ontario Provincial Policeman and a Detective from Toronto assigned, he said, as the Archbishop's body guard). These men informed us that we were not welcome on the grounds of the Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, but that we were welcome to remain on the sidewalk outside their grounds. Though the Archbishop of Canterbury will no doubt deny it
It just proves the power of prayer--even the threat of prayer!
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
1 comment:
It was an interesting day. The Canadians Bishops appeared regularly outside the Chapel of Mount Carmel for their breaks. Many of them lighting up cigarettes and pipes. They could hear our singing 100 yards away. Some, including the Primate of Canada, just walked past as they sauntered near the cliffside sidewalk to look out at the Falls. Others came over to engage us in conversation. I had draped the Episcopal Church flag, and a Rainbow flag over our car which was parked nearby. I wish there had been dozens of us there ... but it was good nonetheless. On to New Orleans in September!
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