Rural suffering highlighted

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 24

Rural suffering highlighted

PA Hamilton Waikato Anglicans cannot ignore the suffering from the slump in the rural economy, says the diocese’s Bishop-elect the Rev. Roger Herft. Mr Herft — whose appointment as bishop was announced recently — said farmers’ wives and children were all suffering the effects of the rural crisis, and Christians in an area like the Waikato had to take note of that. A Sri-Lankan, Mr Herft

aged 38, came to New Zealand in 1982 as a resource person on evangelism for the Methodist Church. He returned in July, 1983, as a parish consultant for the Waikato diocese developing ministries in parishes, educational resources and lay leadership training. Mr Herft will be consecrated as bishop at a service to be arranged later this year. He is married with two children, aged nine and

seven. His wife Cheryl is secretary to the Methodist Presbyterian Council for Mission and Ecumenical Co-operation in Hamilton.

Since he was ordained a priest in 1973 Mr Herft has worked in parishes in Morutuwa and Colombo, the latter including duties as chaplain to Colombo prison.

Mr Herft succeeds the Most Rev. Peter Davis after his appointment as Archbishop of New Zealand.