Reverend Nakayama Disclosure Project Working Group

The working group to address Reverend Nakayama’s offences is named the Reverend Nakayama Disclosure Project Working Group and members are Joyce Chong, Judy Hanazawa, Leslie Komori, Emi Kordyback, Ron Nishimura, Lorene Oikawa, Naomi Shikaze, Lisa Uyeda.

During the month of May the working group participated in another meeting with the Anglican Church and began planning a community information event.

Meeting on May 7 with the Anglican Church

On May 7 the working group and Derek Iwanaka, president of the GVJCCA attended another meeting with the Anglican Church. Attending Anglican Church representatives were:

•Father Moses Daebin Im, Priest-in-Charge, Holy Cross Japanese Canadian Anglican Church

•The Venerable Dr. Ellen Clark-King, Christ Church Cathedral, Regional Archdeacon

•The Venerable G. Douglas Fenton, Executive Archdeacon, Diocese of New Westminster

•The Very Reverend Peter Elliot, Christ Church Cathedral Rector and Dean

 The following are items which were discussed at this meeting:

•Douglas Fenton, Executive Archdeacon, Diocese of New Westminster, who wrote an article which was published in the May bulletin, mentioned it was important to make it known the Anglican Church is aware of Reverend Nakayama’s offences. He is glad to support a wider sharing of this information within the Japanese Canadian community.

•In his article, Douglas Fenton offered his contact information and availability to anyone who is affected by Reverend Nakayama’s offences. If any contact is made with a community member, Douglas will ask if the person would like support from the Japanese Canadian community. Judy Hanazawa’s contact information will be given to the person if they wish to make contact.

•For survivors and families who live in other areas of Canada, Douglas Fenton is available by telephone or by email. He can also make arrangements for local Anglican Church support to be made available if the person wishes in person local support.

•The matter of the Anglican Church funding therapeutic service needs of survivors and families can be referred to and addressed by the General Synod’s office, Anglican Church of Canada

•The Anglican Church is willing to participate in community events to address Reverend Nakayama’s offences. Although a community event is planned for June 14 however, representatives from the church are unable to participate on that date.

•Reverend Nakayama’s offences are a national concern so the Primate (representing the Anglican Church of Canada) should be addressing the national Japanese Canadian community.

•Anglican Church representatives acknowledged that an apology from the Church can be the beginning of opening the matter up toward healing within the Japanese Canadian community. The Anglican Church will consult with the working group as they draft the wording of the Apology to be given by the Primate. A proposed date for an Apology event is Sunday, September 14, 2014 before 4PM. September 14 is Holy Cross Day. Holy Cross Church has served the Japanese Canadian community for many years and will be celebrating its 111th year as a church.

•The official apology to Japanese Canadians from the Primate can be delivered by the Bishop, Diocese of New Westminster. The time and location of the September 14 Apology event within the Diocese of New Westminster is to be determined.

•Communication regarding the draft apology will take place by email between the Church and the working group prior to the next meeting. The next meeting to review the draft Apology and further plan the apology event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20 at 5PM at Christ Church Cathedral.

Planning of the June 14, 2014 Community Information Event

The working committee met on May 7 and May 16 to further plan a June 14 Community Information Meeting. The meeting will take place between 1 and 4PM at Tonari Gumi. It will be in 2 parts with the first part providing information and the second part offering opportunity for participants to share questions, concerns and feedback. Chief Doctor Robert Joseph of Reconciliation Canada will speak and other possible speakers for the first part will include First Nations speakers who can share information about addressing the effects of residential school child sexual abuse in a First Nations community. Other speakers include a therapist giving general information about child sexual abuse and addressing its effects. Leslie Komori and Judy Hanazawa will speak about our community response to Reverend Nakayama’s offences. Leslie will be moderator for the event. For the second part, participant discussion groups will be organized by experienced facilitators and participants will also be given the opportunity to discuss on a one to one basis with individual facilitators. The committee is aware it is important to respect and maintain confidentiality if personal information is disclosed. This requires careful planning. Information about the June 14 event will be prepared for the June Bulletin. The committee will also encourage community members to attend this event through email and regular mail. The committee is organizing facilitators sensitivity training review session which is scheduled for 11AM, Saturday June 14 at Tonari Gumi.