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2009 AGM and Malawi Trip
Oct. 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bishop Philip Poole
philip.poole@compassrosesociety.org
(416) 503-9903
COMPASS ROSE SOCIETY HOLDS 2009 ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING
Members Visit Diocese of Southern Malawi
Travel Restrictions Ground Bishop of Jerusalem
TORONTO, October 12, 2009 - At the annual meeting of the Compass Rose
Society held in London last week, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan
Williams reviewed with members his recent trip to Japan and described
efforts to co-ordinate the work of Anglican relief agencies throughout
the Communion.
Following the meeting, 15 members, including the Society's President,
the Right Reverend Philip Poole, suffragan bishop of York-Credit Valley
in the Diocese of Toronto, travelled to Blantyre, Malawi to visit the
Diocese of Southern Malawi and its bishop, the Right Reverend James
Tengatenaga.
The Malawi program included visits to parishes, clinics and schools in
the diocese and the annual celebrations at Magomero, which mark the
1861 introduction of Christianity into the area by missionaries
travelling with David Livingstone. On Sunday, Bishop Poole preached at
St. Paul's Cathedral in Blantyre. Seeing the abundant ministry of the
church in Malawi in the midst of such scarce resources affected members
profoundly.
The Bishop of Jerusalem, the Right Reverend Suheil Dawani, was to be
the Society's guest speaker in London, but because his permit
application to use the Tel Aviv airport was not granted by the Israeli
authorities in time for the meeting, he was unable to attend.
Bishop Dawani, a Palestinian, was denied access to the airport after
completing the usual and customary protocols required by Israeli
authorities.
President Poole expressed his disappointment saying "It is difficult to
understand what interest was served by keeping Bishop Suheil from
attending this international gathering of Anglicans".
Bishop Dawani's prepared remarks were read to the membership and in
them he described a multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-lingual
diocese situated in a multi-faith and ecumenical world. He described
the diocese's work of pastoral care, improvements in education and
health care and furthering relationships between Christians, Muslims
and Jews in the land of the Holy One.
The Compass Rose Society supports the ministries of the Archbishop of
Canterbury by providing annual financial support and enhancing
communication within the Communion through personal contact. Founded in
1997, the Society takes its name from the symbol of the Anglican
Communion. Its Web address is www.compassrosesociety.org.
New members are always welcome.
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2009 Compass Rose AGM at Lambeth Palace
Bishop Philip Poole and Secretary General Kenneth Kearon at Magomero Festival in Malawi
Canadians members at 2009 Compass Rose AGM at Lambeth Palace
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