As if the Anglican Church of Canada’s recent problems with a bankrupt diocese and a maverick bishop in British Columbia haven’t given denominational leaders enough sleepless nights, the Church is now also encountering unrest among its ranks in Calgary.

The diocesan executive committee unanimously recommended last September to “disestablish” three Calgary parishes—St. Gabriel’s, St. Edmund’s and All Saints—by June 30, 2005. The decision was made on the basis of the committee’s judgment that the three parishes are no longer sustainable.

In his October 21 pastoral letter, Bishop Barry Hollowell said it “was a most difficult decision,” adding the choice was made “to enhance our strengths, ensure our stewardship responsibilities are met and strategically place us for future ministry needs in Calgary.” Hollowell went on to say the three parishes have “over a substantial period of time been unable to maintain their viability and parochial status.”

The closures cast a shadow over the 68th Diocesan Synod that met in November where many clergy and delegates expressed anger over the decision. A motion to rescind the decision of the executive was eventually defeated, however. Delegates did support motions calling for any future closures to be done with consultation and a more pastoral process.

In a letter published in the December 2004 issue of The Sower, the monthly newsletter of the Calgary diocese, a former missionary nurse expressed keen disappointment in both the process and the decision to close the parishes.

“It seems grossly unfair to desert the elderly when it was largely due to their efforts that parish churches were built and paid for originally. How will they get to the big box churches in the suburbs?” wrote Winnifred Gray.

The Synod’s leftover coffee barely had time to cool before another controversy was aloft among local Anglicans.

This time, the Bishop removed the “Cathedral” designation from downtown Calgary’s historic sandstone Cathedral Church of the Redeemer.

As Tim Christison, associate editor of The Sower, reported: “The reactions to the move have varied. On the one hand, there are those who welcome the chance to operate as a parish church without the responsibility of being a cathedral. But others are upset that the cathedral is being deprived of the status it has enjoyed in the diocese for years.”

There is some evidence that things could get ugly as Church of the Redeemer attempts to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.

In an open letter to Hollowell, a former cathedral rector and dean of the diocese condemns what he refers to as “an unprovoked attack” on a historic church whose congregation once funded most of the Anglican churches in southern Alberta.

Reverend David Carter, who also served as a Calgary MLA and Speaker of the Alberta Legislature (1979-93), states: “This was a very stupid mistake, an insult to a parish that has never received any support from the diocese. This was the second building in all of Alberta designated a provincial historical site,” Carter notes. “If they try to tear it down, I’ll take them to court.”

The bishop remains unbowed.

“The present reality is that the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer fails to meet the basic requirements of being designated a parish, let alone a cathedral,” he told the Calgary Herald.

Hmm. Seems the good ship Anglican is listing to the west.