The diocese of Moosonee will become a mission area of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario if the Ontario provincial synod approves a draft canon.
The Ontario synod meets Oct. 9 to 12 in Kingston, Ont., and includes representatives from the dioceses of Moosonee, Algoma, Huron, Niagara, Ontario, Ottawa and Toronto. The diocesan synod approved the recommendation that Moosonee become a mission area when it met last March. The plan evolved after almost a year of discussions and consultations on the fate of the diocese, which has been burdened by extreme financial difficulties. If approved, the transition plan will take effect upon the retirement of Bishop Tom Corston, the diocesan bishop of Moosonee.Under the plan, the Ontario metropolitan will exercise the authority, jurisdiction and powers presently held by the diocesan bishop. The metropolitan may authorize other bishops to perform episcopal duties including the ordination of deacons and priests, confirmations and consecration of churches, chapels and churchyards. The metropolitan may appoint an administrator for all of the mission area or administrators for its separate geographic areas. If funds permit, an assistant bishop may be elected to help the metropolitan. “I want to emphasize that the church in Moosonee is not shutting down,” Corston told the Anglican Journal. “The work of the parishes will continue,” he added. Governance at the parish and deanery level will remain the same.Related stories:Reshaping for mission … nationallyReshaping for mission … provincially