Mennonite Central Committee concert postponed because of ideological clash

Mennonite Central Committee Canada is postponingtheir biggest event of the year after a clash in ideological values between a group that was scheduled to perform in the show and the church that was supposed to host it.

Former prime minister Joe Clark was scheduled to speak at what was to be MCC's 50th anniversary benefit concert, and Buffalo Gals drum group was to perform.

But officials at ImmanuelPentecostal Church were not comfortable knowing that a ceremonial smudging was to be part ofthe Buffalo Gals drum group performance. They said it clashed with their Christian values, and the show was cancelled.

"Their position was that the practice of smudging was not in alignment with that statement of faith in practice. We thought we had to respect that. We also felt we had to respect the position of the drumming circle," said MCC's executive director, Ron Janzen.

Janzen went on to say everyone involved is saddened by the postponement. "Heartbreaking for everyone no question. Yeah this is, we felt so blessed by just the coming together of different groups on the event."

The committee says it is in the process of considering a new date for the benefit.