Comments on: Diocese of Caledonia priest fired ‘without cause’

By: Ingrid Whittington

Ingrid Whittington — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 09:28:17 +0000

I would like to ask the wider Anglican Church to pray for the Dicese of Caledonia. By the time newly elected Bishop David Lehman takes his post in January it will have been vacant for more than a year. I find all the controversy about our first election for Bishop and now the firing of Rev Jake Worley has not done our Diocese any good. Since the first election we have lost two priest and now with the firing of Rev Jake Worley that makes it three and there were already a few places without priest before all this. I find there are a lot of questions as to why this all happened and I don’t find this has done anything to unify us. It leaves myself with questions about how we operate as Anglicans and treat one another. I don’t know how anyone can thing this is best for the Worley family. It’s winter and almost advent. It’s suppose to be a time of joy and celebration as we await the birth of Christ. I find my heart filled with sadness and lack of understanding why firing a man without explanation can turn out to be good for our Diocese. Please pray for the Diocese of Caledonia as we try to navigate through all of this. I can only hope and pray that this does not scare new priests away for fear that the same thing could happen to them.

By: Donalda Wright

Donalda Wright — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 19:30:21 +0000

I can’t help but wonder what Jesus would say about this whole situation.

By: Allan Pearson

Allan Pearson — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 14:25:04 +0000

From the article:
Privett says the diocese is “looking into” the details of Worley’s immigration status, as they were unaware of the details of his residency before making their decision.

This comes across to me as a threat. To publically bring into question a person’s immigration status is a serious accusation that has real potential to cause the individual hardship with the Government of Canada. Yet Privett says “I don’t think it’s appropriate to speak about personal matters. Those are confidential.” A person’s immigration status is a very personal matter and Privett seems to have no problem with talking publically about it.

For Privett to then go on and say “I can say, we don’t want to create hardship for the Worley family, so we’re trying to act as compassionately as possible.” seems hypocritical.

By: Marg Anderson

Marg Anderson — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 01:06:35 +0000

It is my understanding that Rev. Jake has asked repeatedly for the reasoning behind the decision the PHOB made and how they came to their final conclusion. I believe he has also asked why he is the only Bishop elect in Canada to ever be denied and have that Canon applied to him when there are at least 3 Bishops in BC and several across Canada that were in violation of the same Canon at their election. He has asked these questions of Privett privately and on at least two occasions publicly, thereby foregoing any expectation from Rev. Jake of confidentiality. Privett just continues to not answer the question.

And really!~ why does it matter that Rev. Worley had an interview with The Anglican Planet? Are Anglican Priests in Canada only allowed to make comments to the Anglican Journal? When did you makeup that Rule?