Canadians in Taiwan to Monitor Election
The Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Canadian Council of Churches were both represented on a team of international election observers during Taiwan’s presidential election in January.
Peter Noteboom, deputy secretary of the CCC, and David Kilgour, former Member of Parliament and active member of Westminster, Ottawa, were part of a team of eight Canadians who joined delegates from six other nations to ensure the election was conducted in a fair way.
“Taiwan elections have not always been peaceful affairs, so there was also an element of deterrence, that the presence of international observers might discourage anyone who might attempt violence to change the outcome of the election,” Kilgour explained to the Record.
Taiwan is a young democracy, having had its first of only five multi – party presidential elections in 1996. The observers noted that while vote buying, misuse of administrative power and imbalances in party resources were still problems this year, the 2012 elections were mostly fair and conducted with a genuine desire for reform. One issue that has not been resolved is China’s influence on the country and its politics.
“China’s influence through the now wide – open economic border was widespread,” said Noteboom. “Many Taiwanese see that this threatens their independence.”
The Jan. 14 vote resulted in the re – election of President Ma Ying – jeou of the Chinese Nationalist Party. ¦ -EW
Mullin to Receive Honourary Divinity Degree
This May, Rev. Margaret Mullin will become the first aboriginal woman to be awarded a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa by the Vancouver School of Theology during the spring convocation ceremony.
The school chose Mullin to recognize the contributions she has made to the life of the church and to First Nations peoples in Canada. Mullin, who is of Ojibwa and Irish/Scottish ancestry, is the executive director of Winnipeg Inner City Missions, an organization of the Presbyterian Church that operates a thrift store, a community drop – in centre, transitional housing, a First Steps to Employment project, worship services, and children and youth programs in the Manitoba capital.
“The honour belongs to the people I have worked with every day for the past 12 years,” Mullin said of the degree. “It is my prayer that this recognition will give validity to the healing and reconciliation work that Winnipeg Inner City Missions currently does. It is also my prayer that this will help bring to the attention of the church the larger work that the seven Presbyterian missions serving First Nations people do.”
In February, Mullin appeared on a CTV morning show with one of WICM’s First Steps participants. The centre was profiled for its contribution to the community. ¦ -EW
Kairos Names New Director
Jennifer Henry has been appointed the new Executive Director of Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, effective March 12.
Henry has worked for Kairos and its predecessor coalitions for almost 20 years, and currently serves on staff as manager for the Dignity and Rights and Fundraising Teams. Along with her gifts for leadership and theological reflection, she brings a depth of programmatic knowledge and a strong commitment to Kairos and its relationships with churches, partners and networks. The Presbyterian Church is a member of Kairos.
Henry replaces Mary Corkery, who retired in January. ¦ —Kairos
Presbyterian Presides at Secret Wedding
Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiated at the secret wedding of Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Nazanin Afshin – Jam in Mexico on Jan. 4.
“I’ve been minister at First, New Glasgow, N.S., since 1989 and been friends with Peter MacKay since he began here as Crown Prosecutor a year later. He attends First Church regularly,” Matheson told the Record.
The ceremony, which took place in a tiny oceanside Los Cobos chapel, included 30 family members and friends and no security or media presence.
“I’ve conducted over a thousand weddings but this was without doubt the most memorable,” Matheson said. “There was a formal dignity and yet a relaxing atmosphere. We were among friends we knew and trusted, and we were able to give them the privacy they so rarely have these days.” ¦ -EW
