Church elects part-Maori leader

Press, 1 May 1980, Page 1

Church elects part-Maori leader

PA' Dunedin The Anglican Church has elected its youngest and first part-Maori Bishop to become Archbishpp of New Zealand? The Bishop of Auckland (The Rt Rev. P. A. Reeves), aged 48, was elected primate last evening in Dunedin after the third day of the General Synod. His election came after a secret ballot by the nine Bishops in New Zealand after deliberations lasting almost an hour. Traditionally, the General Synod has chosen the most senior Bishop to be-

come Archbishop, but the election of Bishop Reeves illustrates change in the Church. For the young Bishop the election marks the second big event in his career during the last 12 months. Only last year he was made Bishop of Auckland after eight years as Bishop of Waiapu. After his election, Archbishop Reeves described the role of Primate as being a position intended -to create a point of leadership and unity in the Church. Unity could not be achieved unless the Church was on the move

— something he* hoped to achieve. He hoped to be able to help the Church move faithfully, creatively, and responsibly towards the pressures evident in society in the 1980 s. “We will not achieve this if we stand still,” he said. 1 Archbishop Reeves said he would continue to express the views of the Church when necessary. Of the future of the Anglican Church, he said it needed to become freed from the “housekeeping” and internal affairs of the Church and become more aware of its responsi-

bilities in the world. It needed to become increasingly concerned with' the task of mission in the world, especially in justice, peace, and freedom from oppression. Archbishop Reeves has indicated a sympathetic attitude towards homosexuality, a topic that will be discussed by the General Synod later this week. The Church needed to become more sensitive towards homosexuals and it should listen to their case. “We are called to listen so that we can understand the complexity of humanity,” he said.

He said he did not Intend to pronounce judgment upon people and that a loving and caring attitude was called for. An avid supporter of Church union. Archbishop Reeves also accepts the ordination of women to the priesthood. He was educated at St John’s College, Auckland, and the University of New Zealand where he graduated bachelor of arts in 1954 and master of arts in 1955. He gained a bachelor of arts degree from St Peter’s College. Oxford, in 1961, a master of arts degree in 1965, and a li-

centiate of theologv in 1958. Archbishop Reeves has served in parishes in Waikato, Oxford, Tokoroa, Lowestoft (England), Lewisham (England), and Okato (Taranaki). He has lectured in Church history at St John’s College, and was Director of Christian Education in the Diocese of Auckland before being appointed Bishop of Waiapu in 1971. x Archbishop Reeves is married, with three daughters.