Bishop Notes Church Absence From Summit (Press, 31 July 1985)
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Summary: Bishop Notes Church Absence From Summit (Press, 31 July 1985)
On 31 July 1985, the Rt Rev. P. W. Mann, Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, expressed concerns regarding the lack of representation for the Church at the Government’s Economic Summit. Speaking at the forty-third synod of the Diocese of Dunedin, he pointed out that Church leaders were notably excluded from the summit, with the closest involvement being through those who manage the Church’s social welfare initiatives. Bishop Mann interpreted this exclusion as an indication of a broader misunderstanding of the Church's role and contributions to societal discussions on human welfare and nature. He argued that the summit planners seemingly overlooked the fundamental human questions that should inform economic and social planning. Bishop Mann remarked that while representation at the summit was extensive, it failed to include perspectives from religious leaders, which he deemed critical given the moral and ethical dimensions of human existence. He lamented the prevailing view of “economic man,” which characterises individuals primarily as self-interested actors pursuing maximum gain with minimum effort. This reductionist view, he suggested, risks diminishing the value of work, reducing it to merely a cost factor instead of recognising it as an expression of shared creativity aligned with the divine purpose. Bishop Mann pointed out that this modern interpretation of human nature contrasts sharply with the biblical understanding of humanity espoused by the Church, which encompasses deeper moral and social obligations. He cautioned that such a view complicates discussions on prevailing social issues, including debates on homosexual law reform, the All Black tour, and sex education in schools. He urged his diocese representatives to rise to the challenges posed by contemporary secular society and to contribute to the discourse on these pressing matters, leveraging the Church’s insights and values.
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