Canada news briefs: Ecclesiastical Province of Canada

Priest resigns after sentencing

Wayne Lynch, former rector of St. John’s, Fairview in Halifax, has resigned as a priest after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting an altar boy in the 1970s. He was given a conditional sentence to be served in the community. Mr. Lynch resigned April 16 under Canon 29 of the Canons of the Diocese of Nova Scotia. Archbishop Arthur Peters of Nova Scotia issued a statement to the diocese that said, “I know many of you are distressed over this news. I want to assure you of our concern for you and for all who are affected by these events. It is important that everyone knows that the church is striving to become a place of safety and open trust.” Diocesan Times

Rector to stand trial

The rector of the parish of Lockeport and Barrington in Shelburne County has been committed to stand trial on a charge of sexually assaulting a girl under 14 years old. A trial date for Rev. Charles Bull, 44, priest at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Lockeport, was set for Sept. 10 in Yarmouth Supreme Court. He has asked for a trial by judge and jury. The offence is alleged to have occurred within the last two years. Mr. Bull continues to live in Lockeport but another priest from Shelburne is in charge of the parish until the charge has been dealt with. As a condition of his release, Mr. Bull is prohibited from having contact with several specific residents and anyone under the age of 14 without another adult present. His own children are excluded from that court order.

Churches welcome Graham crusade

The Billy Graham Crusade is coming to Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley this fall. Evangelist Dr. Ralph Bell, part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, will lead the Celebration 99 crusade from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. The invitation came from the Wolfville Area Inter-church Council, an ecumenical group. The Anglican Church has been active in the council. A director from the crusade will travel to the Valley to help organizers prepare for the event. Diocesan Times

Ecumenical centre slated for move

Unitas, an ecumenical centre for spirituality and Christian meditation, is looking for a new home. Despite the popularity of its programs, Unitas can’t stay in its current home, the former McConnell Mansion owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal. The annual cost of $100,000 to maintain the stately 25-room mansion on the southern slopes of Mount Royal has become prohibitive. The archdiocese paid for building and maintenance, heating, electricity, taxes and repairs, while Unitas, which includes Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran and United Church representatives, paid staffing and program costs. Unitas registrations rose to 9,225 last year. The mansion will be sold and Unitas is looking for a new site in the city. Montreal Anglican