Ernest M. Howse
Encyclopedia
The Very Rev. Ernest M. Howse (died February 1, 1993) was the 21st Moderator of the United Church of Canada
from 1964 to 1968. Howse was born in Newfoundland and studied in both Canada and Scotland before becoming the pastor of Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church in California. He returned to Canada in 1935 to become the minister at Westminster United Church. Located in central Winnipeg Westminster served some of the poorest areas of Canada during the Great Depression
. Howse became a prominent advocate the social gospel
movement. He also believed in a very liberal view of Christianity. For example, he did not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus
. In 1948 he moved to Toronto to become minister at Bloor Street United Church
, a position he would retain until his retirement in 1970. After his retirement he became a regular writer on faith matters for the Toronto Star
until 1979. Howse was also active in the World Council of Churches
. In 1954 he was one of 25 Christian leaders from around to world who met in Lebanon with 25 Muslim leader to improve interfaith dialogue. He was later elected co-president of the WCC's committee on Muslim-Christian Co-operation.
Moderator of the United Church of Canada
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada is the presiding leader of the United Church of Canada, Canada's largest Protestant denomination. The church is highly decentralized and non-dogmatic and the moderator has only limited power...
from 1964 to 1968. Howse was born in Newfoundland and studied in both Canada and Scotland before becoming the pastor of Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church in California. He returned to Canada in 1935 to become the minister at Westminster United Church. Located in central Winnipeg Westminster served some of the poorest areas of Canada during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Howse became a prominent advocate the social gospel
Social Gospel
The Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the early 20th century United States and Canada...
movement. He also believed in a very liberal view of Christianity. For example, he did not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. In 1948 he moved to Toronto to become minister at Bloor Street United Church
Bloor Street United Church
Bloor Street United Church is a United Church of Canada church located at 300 Bloor Street West in downtown Toronto, near the intersection with Huron Street. It is just north of the University of Toronto, and between the Spadina and St. George Subway Stations.As with many of the downtown Toronto...
, a position he would retain until his retirement in 1970. After his retirement he became a regular writer on faith matters for the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
until 1979. Howse was also active in the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
. In 1954 he was one of 25 Christian leaders from around to world who met in Lebanon with 25 Muslim leader to improve interfaith dialogue. He was later elected co-president of the WCC's committee on Muslim-Christian Co-operation.