As Rev. Yves Samson speaks to his congregation in the Quebec town of Trois-Rivieres, two things stand out: the bilingualism of the sermon and the dearth of parishioners.
Samson holds nothing back when he says that, without radical change, the Anglican Diocese of Quebec could soon be extinct.
“If we want to keep going on (the old) track we will all die,” Samson says in an interview after his French and English sermon to a room full of near-empty pews in the St. James Anglican Church.
If he preaches in French, and he also has “a room full of near-empty pews” then why would anyone think that lack of bi-lingual preaching is the real problem?
[blockquote] “Samson said francophone Quebecers should seriously consider the Anglican Church because it represents what they are looking for: more participation of women and acceptance of divorced and gay people. “I am a gay priest and I was ordained in the church and I never lied about it to anyone,” he said.” [/blockquote]
Sure, and no-one is coming to your services. The people aren’t buying what you’re selling, and the French/English issue just brings it into starker relief, but doesn’t change the fundamental problem.