Archdeacon Caines: Bishop, we are now in the 50th year of acknowledging and celebrating our incorporation and life as an independent Diocese in Central Newfoundland. Has it been easy?
Bishop Watton: Many doubted that Central Newfoundland would have the resources to sustain itself as a diocese, let alone grow and prosper. We had a small overall population and were a diocese without a city. But the leadership of our diocese was noticeably confident, believing in the principles of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens,” and Philippians 4:19: “God shall provide!”
Caines: What stands out to you?
Watton: Our relationships with the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador, and with the Diocese of Western Newfoundland remain unbroken, and we celebrate our history of partnership, mutual support, and trust.
Caines: Bishop, you spoke about the diocese surviving. Can you speak a little more to that?
Watton: Sure! Our diocese did much more than survive: it prospered and was second to none in growth, outreach, ministry, and evangelism. We are known for inclusion, partnerships, and our values of love, advocacy, and tolerance. Our 50th Anniversary celebration is also a clear call to be realistic about the changes and challenges occurring in each of our three dioceses in Newfoundland and Labrador, across the country, and indeed around the world. We restructured into three separate dioceses only because of rapid growth and optimism. The bonds of love certainly remained, and now new, honest conversations are happening about what God is calling us to be and become in our time.
Caines: What has been the focus over the past 10 years?
Watton: Over the past decade, we have focused on two key words: Mission and Sustainability. What must we do? What must our Church look like to expect God’s blessing for the future?
Caines: Can you talk about the leadership in the diocese?
Watton: Our diocesan leadership began by looking at ourselves. With a focus on helping parishes, we worked to reduce annual financial assessments and enable struggling parishes to share ministry and housing costs, so we would have time to work together as parishes to talk about what our Church was becoming. These shared ministries and lower assessments were never intended to “save” anything, especially buildings, but to call us to consider what it means to be the people of God in our time.
Caines: Bishop, we have special guests with us from Jerusalem for our 50th Anniversary. Dean Richard Sewell of St. George’s College and JulieAnn Sewell of the Prince Basma Hospital. Could you share a little about that?
Watton: We have been gifted by God with a relationship with St. George’s College and the Princess Basma Hospital in Jerusalem. Their presence in our diocese has given us something we truly needed on our anniversary. From Jerusalem, we have heard their stories. We have reached out to them, and they have reached out to us, and we have heard, without doubt, how important it is for our diocese to return to the heart of what it means to be Christian. We must reclaim the essence of what it means to follow Jesus.
Caines: How so, Bishop?
Watton: Quite some time ago, we issued a statement of solidarity with those precious “living stones” and promised to advocate for the peace and justice mandated by Jesus’ teachings. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to be a visible sign of the presence of Jesus Christ in our land, as they are in the land where he was born, lived, died, and rose from the dead. We have been unmistakably and prophetically addressed by the voice of the Land of the Holy One. An incredible gift, as an answer to the prayers of the faithful.