Presbytery of Ottawa Speaks
At the February 15 meeting of the Presbytery of Ottawa it was unanimously agreed to write to the Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Minister of International Cooperation Bev Oda expressing our concern over the handling of the KAIROS funding and to ask that the funding be restored without delay.
It is a special day whenever you hear that a room full of Presbyterians are unanimous on anything!
Here is a copy of the letter.
February 16, 2011.
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.Right Honourable Sir:
One year ago today, February 16, 2010, the Presbytery of Ottawa of The Presbyterian Church in Canada wrote to you requesting both an explanation and reconsideration of the decision not to renew funding for KAIROS provided by CIDA.
In light of current information which indicates that the leadership of CIDA recommended that funding for KAIROS be renewed, only to have the recommendation changed at the last moment by the minister responsible for such funding, we respectfully urge that this matter be reviewed and that funding for KAIROS for the year 2010 be restored.
The Presbytery of Ottawa meeting in regular session last evening, February 15, 2011, unanimously adopted the following resolution:
That the Presbytery of Ottawa express in writing to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada and to the Honourable Bev Oda, Minister for International Co-operation, its concern over the handling of the 2010 grant to KAIROS through CIDA, and request that this funding be restored without delay, with copies of the letter to be sent to the leaders of the opposition parties.
The nineteen congregations in the Presbytery of Ottawa contribute significantly to the work of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, which in turn provides substantial support to KAIROS. As pointed out in our letter of February 16, 2010, KAIROS has a long history of working in partnership with CIDA in the development of proposals for global partnerships which address the stated priorities of the Government of Canada in the areas of safeguarding food and water, in seeking to support the health and education of children and youth, and in ensuring just and sustainable economic development in nations and communities whose pursuit of peace, order, and good government is seriously impaired.
With our continuing prayers for you, and for the Government of Canada, that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Almighty God,
Douglas R. Kendall, Moderator
James T. Hurd, Clerk.
Copies to: The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Co-operation Mr. Michael Ignatieff, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition Mr. Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party Mr. Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois Mr. Stephen Allen, Associate Secretary, Justice Ministries, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and member, Board of Directors, KAIROSThe Presbyterian Church in Canada is an important part of KAIROS. For more information on what KAIROS actually does, and for other information on what we are doing in the area of social justice here is a link to Justice Ministries of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Here is an update from our national church.
You can also go directly to the KAIROS Website.
We also encourage you to contact the Prime Minister, Minister Oda and your member of Parliament to express your thoughts and feelings on how this has been handled.
