Dinner raises funds for Forces bishop

During the bishops’ four-day meeting at a retreat house outside Toronto, they traveled into the city for Archbishop Andrew Hutchison’s second fundraising dinner, called Breaking Bread with +Andrew: Dinner and Conversation With the Primate.

About 300 tickets were sold to the $250-per-plate dinner, according to event chair Tony van Straubenzee. Final proceeds were not immediately available, but Archbishop Hutchison said the dinner would benefit youth programs and partially fund the position – now voluntary – of Bishop Ordinary to the Canadian Forces. That position is currently occupied by Peter Coffin, who will retire in July 2007 as bishop of Ottawa, but will stay on as bishop to the Forces (see story, this page).

Military chaplains were out in force at the dinner. In their remarks, both Archbishop Hutchison and Rev. Lt. Col. Baxter Park, an Anglican military chaplain, stressed the pressures experienced by clergy in the field, especially in combat in Afghanistan. Young people were also present, with the Trinity College School jazz band and young violinist Mark Johnston providing the entertainment.