Pentecost 2003: Tribute to Eugene Fairweather
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DOUBLE ISSUE Volume IX, Number 4/Pentecost 2003 VOLUME IX/4 Editorial 2 The Anglican Doctor on the ordi- nation of women 4 Adieu* Noblesse oblige 6 Book review: … the resurrection is the wiping away of every tear, and the Lamb – the Divine hunger: Word made flesh raised from the dead – will himself be the spouse of Canadians on a “the new Jerusalem … the bride adorned.” by Stephen Reynolds Spiritual journey 7 oday we of this community bid and soul, an Anglo-Catholic of the old VOLUME X/1: adieu to Eugene Rathbone school; but we may have forgotten how Fairweather, priest, theologian, very lively that old school could be, or how Eugene Fairweather’s T scholar, ecumenist, liturgist, and Eugene not only let his tongue sing Anglo- contribution to the Professor and Fellow of this College. And Catholicism’s glorious battle but also stood Book of Alternative what should I say of him? I knew him for in the forefront of the fray, wielding its Services close to 30 years, less than half the years cutting-edge. that some of you knew him. Such a fact This is the public record of the man; and makes me wary of pri- I could go on to re- vileging any of my own count the list of his reminiscences of accomplishments in Eugene, and I take greater detail. But comfort in the further this is a Requiem fact that this is a Re- Mass, at which our quiem Mass, not a task is to bid him memorial service. And adieu, quite literally that is just as Eugene “to God.” And, in wanted it. He was a any case, the public very private man who record is merely the lived a very public ca- shell of his past, not reer as a priest whose the truth of his life. vocation, whose minis- For that we must try, whose very life, look where Eugene was to do theology, and himself asks us to as a theologian who look, using the lens considered it his disci- provided by the pline’s duty to serve readings that he the Church, to build himself chose for this up the people of God in the faith which liturgy. *A homily preached by seeks understanding. First, he asked us to look with the Stephen Reynolds on 11 April, prophet Isaiah, to that mountain on which 2002 at All Saints’ Cathedral, In this conjoint vocation and enterprise Halifax and revised for a we can now acknowledge his success, and “the LORD of hosts will make for all Requiem Mass at Trinity bear witness to his influence on the shape peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well- College Chapel on 30 April, of Anglicanism, both here in Canada and aged wines,” to that mountain-top festival 2002. around the world, and on the course of the where the LORD, having destroyed “the Anglican Communion’s dialogues with shroud that is cast over all peoples, the Isaiah 25:6–9 our brothers and sisters of the Roman and Revelation 21:1–17 Orthodox communions. He was also, heart (Continued on page 3) John 6:37–40 LITURGY CANADA 1 LITURGY CANADA (Double Issue) Volume IX, Number 4 EDITORIAL Pentecost 2003 Volume X,Number 1 Baptism Project 2003 his double edition of Liturgy Liturgy Canada Executive Canada brings us to the begin- Peter Wall, Chair ning of Volume X in the LC Marion Jenkins, Secretary T publication archive. In our some- John Wilton, Business Manager Steven Mackison, Treasurer what otherworldly (not to say erratic) calculation of time, this is a milestone in Judie Arrowood, William Blott Paul Bosch, John Dunn, Sharyn our publication history. Due to our volun- Hall, John Hill, Linda Hill, Ken teer editorial policy we have not always Hull, Dean Mercer been able to achieve the production of four Editors (Executive Members) issues per year (hence our per issue mem- N.S., PEI, N.B, Nfld and bership subscription). At any rate, this Labrador means that as we proceed in our second David Fletcher [email protected] decade we thank you for your patience and support on our journey together. Father Eugene Fairweather, flanked by Archbishop Ont., Que. & Nunavut We also hope that you will, from time to Howard Clark (left) and Dean Howard Buchner at David Harrison Trinity College, 1978. [email protected] time, check out our updated Web site, www.liturgy.ca, on which we are gradu- Alb., Sask. & Man. ally archiving all of the back issues of LC. Eugene Rathbone Fairweather (ERF) is Greg Kerr-Wilson one who knew and interacted with many of [email protected] Of course, as always, we welcome your contributions (literary or monetary) and the leading minds within both the Anglican B.C., Yukon and NWT your feedback on any and all issues. Communion and the broader Church Kevin Dixon catholic. He contributed in a unique way to [email protected] When planning each issue of Liturgy Canada we are constantly pondering the theological reflection and liturgical renewal Review Editor mission of Christ’s Church and the renew- in the life of the Anglican Church of Cana- John Hodgins, Review Editor da (e.g., Unity Dialogues and the BAS), the [email protected] al of her liturgy. Of course, the subtext for all endeavours involving change in the worldwide Anglican Communion (e.g., the This issue human community is personalities – and 1962 Anglican Congress in Toronto and John Hodgins, Editor various Lambeth Conferences), and to what [email protected] in connection with changes in liturgy, the Willem Hart, personalities of those whose ideas and he understood as the Great Tradition in the Design & Production passions have been offered in the service ecumenical movement (e.g., ARCIC and Jane Hodgins, Copy Editor of God. WCC Faith and Order dialogues). Episcopal Advisor Canada has produced some notable Father Fairweather, as he was known to Joachim Fricker contributors and personalities in the de- so many, is remembered in this issue of LC with affection, admiration, humour, and Letters to the Editor, velopment of the Church’s liturgy and Correspondence & mission. Bill Blott, in his Blessing and Glory with, as is the case with all strong perso- Membership and Thanksgiving, published by LC in 1998, nalities, some awe at what God has Liturgy Canada, wrought in his life and witness. Not with- 77 Canterbury Place, has recounted the stories of some of the North York, Ontario most noteworthy Anglican characters: out his detractors and certainly not without M2N 2N1 Strong personalities like Bishop Kingston, quirks and eccentricities, he stands today [email protected] Canon Dyson Hague and Father Palmer amongst the most influential Anglican Membership Rates come to mind. minds since the beginnings of the Church $25CDN (4 issues) When such lights pass from their earth- in Canada, an Anglo-Catholic theologian of $45CDN (8 issues) record and one of few Canadians to make $60CDN (12 issues) ly sojourn we pause to reflect upon how Cheques payable to: Liturgy they have helped to shape the way in an international contribution in the areas of Canada which we worship and to reflect upon theology, liturgics, and ecumenism. Faced with any proposed development WEBSITE their contributions to our collective self- www.liturgy.ca for a develop- understanding as Christians within the of doctrine, faith, and order, Dr. ing archive of Liturgy Canada’s Great Tradition. Likewise, the Roman Fairweather unfailingly and carefully con- past issues and information sulted the canon of Scripture, the texts of about membership. We value Catholic, Lutheran and other communions contri-butions to this journal have produced Canadian theologians and the Tradition of the Catholic Faith (both from our Lutheran and other liturgists who continue to make their mark Eastern and Western), and then applied a companions on the Christian sanctified reason to the subject at hand. journey. Liturgy Canada is an in both their own communions and in the association for all who are in- ongoing ecumenical dialogue about faith, Having done the hard work, he would offer terested in liturgy and mission. worship and service. an opinion to the Communion and to 2 PENTECOST 2003 ecumenical partners with the understand- the “Angelic Doctor” proceeded to lay out “Not without his ing that his view needed the affirmation of the case for a renewed and renewing use of the wider fellowship of which he was but the Great Tradition now freshly repre- detractors and a faithful member. sented for Canadians in the BAS. certainly not Always prepared to offer a thoughtful Such was his method and style, always without quirks and considered defense of his position he accompanied by a gentle humour, the was first and foremost a priest of the counterpoint to his erudition, informed by and eccentricities, Church, a Catholic Christian within his a faith seeking understanding, judicial he stands today beloved Anglican Communion. Reluctant prudence, and an unfailing love for Christ amongst the most to act in haste, once he had deliberated and his Church, understood by him as the and saw the unfolding of doctrine from universal fellowship which must trans- influential Angli- the perspective of centuries, he spoke with cend local politics, culture, and rivalries. can minds since conviction. A true son of the Church and, Liturgy Canada is honoured to present the beginnings of as he saw it, a member of one branch of the reflections of some of those who knew the wider Catholic body of Christ, he the Reverend Dr. Eugene Fairweather as the Church in always sought consensus. He was cautious priest, theologian, academic, controver- Canada, an Anglo- about any action, despite his own sialist, pastor, and friend.