At Dio, students are preparing for ministry in a global world. In a multi-cultural city like Montreal, we encounter on a daily basis a rich diversity of people from around the world. In the food we eat, the technology we use, and the clothes we wear, we can’t escape the fact that we are knit into a network of global relationships—some of which we’re aware of and some of which we’re not. As Christians, we are part of a global body of Christ that spans the world. At Dio we know this because our graduates are at work in dioceses in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Visit with Archbishop Rowan Williams

One of the highlights of this term at the college has been the opportunity to welcome visitors from around the world to share our life, even if only for a short time. In early September, former Archbishop of CanterburyRowan Williams visited the college and spoke with the students about the ministry of priests in the world today. You can read about that visit elsewhere in our newsletter.

Representatives of CAPA with Principal Zink and Bishop Mary of Montreal

Later in September, the college welcomed Canon Grace Kaiso and Mrs. Elizabeth Gichovi of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA). Canon Grace is the general secretary of CAPA and Mrs. Gichovi is the finance and administration officer. CAPA was founded in the 1970s and is a coordinating body for Africa’s Anglican churches. Over lunch, the two visitors spoke about their work and the challenges they encounter, including passing Christianity on to the next generation, engaging with governments at all levels, and proclaiming the gospel in word and in deed, including by running schools and health clinics.

In October, the college welcomed Archbishop Suheil Dawani, Anglican bishop in Jerusalem and primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Archbishop Suheil spoke about the ministry of his diocese, including the “living stones” in its congregations but also the many schools and medical facilities that the diocese runs. He talked about the great pressure that Christian communities in the Middle East are under as a result of turmoil and violence in recent years. And he spoke about the need for Christians to be witnesses to the good news of Christ in the midst of a tumultuous situation.

Visit with Primate of Jerusalem Suheil Dawani

Through its location in the diverse, metropolitan city of Montreal, students at Dio are formed for a ministry that responds to the local context in which they find themselves while also taking account of the global networks of which all Christians are a part. Visits like this—paired with our annual international study trip to Cuba and other opportunities for global learning—begin to reveal to us the nature of ministry around the world and knit the body of Christ a little closer together.