By Murray MacAdam

Bishop Johnson, right, joins the Rev. Beth Benson and members of St. Cuthbert, Leaside, at the vigil. Photo by Michael Hudson

My advocacy work has often taken me to the imposing pink sandstone building where one feels dwarfed by the security guards, the former rulers gazing down at me from the walls, and by the sense of power imbalance involved in meeting influential lawmakers, always with a request.

But on March 9, the tables were turned when I joined 50 Anglicans and other people of faith to pray for those same politicians at an interfaith prayer vigil at Queen’s Park, the seat of our provincial government.

Led by Bishop Colin Johnson, who was joined by Bishop Linda Nicholls, we gathered outside around a simple altar to remember the poor in our society and to pray for politicians, by name, so that they’d have the courage demanded of them to do the right thing. Anglicans from various Toronto churches were joined by a strong contingent from the Diocese of Niagara, including Archdeacon Michael Patterson.

“Prayer for many people is wishing thinking,” said Bishop Johnson. “But it links us with each other and with God, who has the power to shape things.”

Archdeacon Patterson’s reading of the Biblical account of the healing of the blind man Bartimaeus sparked a lively dialogue. Since he had no way of earning a living, he was poor, noted Bishop Johnson. “At first he’d been told to be quiet. Yet he asks Jesus for healing, to be restored to active community. Jesus gives us an example. He heals the whole person. Today we call for dignity for all people.”

The story of Bartimaeus is about overcoming isolation, commented the Rev. Paul MacLean. “Poverty isolates people,” he said.

In these tough, uncertain economic times, it’s easy to be gripped by fear, said the Rev. Beth Benson. “Maybe this wonderful story (of Bartimaus) has an echo for us about fear.”

People also spoke of why they’d come to the vigil. Cathie Figueira from All Saints, Kingsway, mentioned her frustration at living in a society where so many are impoverished. “I’ve done small acts of charity for years, but have come to realize that acts of charity are not enough. We need to be here and do advocacy, because acts of charity are Band-Aids.”

“We’re here to hold the government to its promises on poverty,” added Lee Creal of Holy Trinity, Trinity Square. “It’s about staying faithful to the cause.”

Faith groups have a unique opportunity to influence things that few other sectors of society have, noted Bishop Nicholls, because they exist in every community, large and small, all over Ontario.

“We need to tell them (politicians) that it’s our money, and this (ending poverty) is what we want them to do with it,” said the Rev. Andrea Budgey, who brought a group of Trinity College students to the vigil.

God’s presence deepened among us. It was time for more prayer, to hear from the Psalmist, to pray the Lord’s Prayer together, and to close with the Grace.

At length it was time to go. I left feeling more hopeful and strengthened than I’ve ever felt after leaving Queen’s Park.

Bishop Nichols will lead prayers at the Queen’s Park interfaith prayer vigil on March 19, from noon to 1 p.m.

See: Social Justice in our diocese and related story about prayer vigil.