Sunday, May 21, 2006
Canon Ernle Gordon
Saw this interesting article dated October 2003 in the Anglican Journal, a publication of the Anglican Church in Canada. Canon Ernle Gordon, who in the 1970's used to be called the "red priest", speaks about violence and the church in Jamaica.
The Diocese of Jamaica still has to deal with the tension of "a church which is a potted plant implanted in Jamaica from a foreign soil" on the one hand, and its more indigenous pull, especially that generated by the fundamental socio-political changes in the late 60's/70's, on the other hand.
This cultural change, apparent during the 70's when the theme from the political/financial fallout (PNP Socialism/IMF-no way) was "self-reliance" made it "OK to be black" with variations in music, poetry etc around the "Back to Africa" theme.
Canon Ernle, perhaps ahead of his time, was thought to be associated with the socialist theme of the government by some people, thus the nickname "red priest".
Canon Gordon says "we have to rewrite the liturgy, use old words to new beats. We have to use a liturgy the people understand.Â
Will the Liturgists please stand!
The Diocese of Jamaica still has to deal with the tension of "a church which is a potted plant implanted in Jamaica from a foreign soil" on the one hand, and its more indigenous pull, especially that generated by the fundamental socio-political changes in the late 60's/70's, on the other hand.
This cultural change, apparent during the 70's when the theme from the political/financial fallout (PNP Socialism/IMF-no way) was "self-reliance" made it "OK to be black" with variations in music, poetry etc around the "Back to Africa" theme.
Canon Ernle, perhaps ahead of his time, was thought to be associated with the socialist theme of the government by some people, thus the nickname "red priest".
Canon Gordon says "we have to rewrite the liturgy, use old words to new beats. We have to use a liturgy the people understand.Â
Will the Liturgists please stand!
# posted by subjective object @ Sunday, May 21, 2006 
