Skip to content

Primate becomes PWRDF board president

January 18, 2008

By pwrdf

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

“This is the gospel at work.”

Toronto — It may seem abundantly logical that the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada becomes president of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) board of directors, but when Archbishop Fred Hiltz became the board’s president last fall, he became the first primate to do so. The primate traditionally is an ex officio member of the board.
The decision to accept the nomination is a reflection of the life-long passion that he has had for PWRDF. “It was always an interest of mine. I have vivid memories as a child growing up in Darmouth (N.S.) of clergy talking about PWRDF.” Nova Scotia essentially gave birth to PWRDF following the 1958 coal mine disaster in Springhill, Nova Scotia.

Archbishop Hiltz said that he accepted the nomination for a number of reasons. He said that it made sense that he become involved in an organization that bears the primate’s name. He said that even though PWRDF is an incorporated body for funding purposes, “I wanted to help PWRDF strengthen its official standing within the denomination.”

He says that PWRDF has enjoyed strong support from Anglicans in Canada throughout its 48-year history. “It is our fund, our way to reach out into the world, and it is one of the best good news stories of the Anglican Church of Canada.”

More importantly, he says, PWRDF is ‘the gospel at work”. He referred to the last question of the baptism covenant which speaks about justice and peace. “PWRDF helps us live out our baptism vow, dealing with justice, human rights, poverty, and homelessness.”

Archbishop Hiltz admits that he has been on a huge learning curve. He spent a half day with PWRDF staff where he absorbed all he could about the organization’s various programs, partnerships and structure. He says he is especially impressed by PWRDF’s comprehensive strategic plan. “One of the aspects of my ministry as primate is to promote PWRDF and to be a champion of the strategic plan.”

The primate noted that PWRDF will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009. Major events will take place across the country throughout the year. “I really hope that the celebration will not only be a recollection of what has been but more importantly what is to come. We need to continue to be a strong witness to Christ’s compassion.”

All News Posts

For media requests please contact Communications Coordinator Janice Biehn at (416) 924-9199;366.

Canada Stories

PWRDF News Release