Welcome to Integrity Canada!
Integrity Canada is a national network of local Integrity chapters, members, and friends working toward the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life and ministry of the Anglican Church of Canada. Learn more about us here.
The tabs to the left will help you explore some helpful resources: Sexual Orientation 101, personal testimonies of LGBT Christians, study aids for your biblical and theological reflection, plus contact information for Integrity chapters across the country. Below you'll find recent Integrity Canada news and links to our newsletter, Integrator.
For more information, or if you'd like to speak to someone about a personal concern, please contact us. Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you're welcome here!
Integrity Canada news . . .
May 28, 2011 - Same-sex blessings approved by Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI. Bishop Sue Moxley is finalizing the guidelines. The diocese is the eighth in the Anglican Church of Canada to permit the blessing of same-sex civil marriage, though none allow their clergy to perform civil marriages or use the liturgy of Holy Matrimony for same-sex couples, as they do for straight couples. Same-sex blessings are now permitted –- with often significant restriction –- in the dioceses of New Westminster, Montreal, Niagara, Huron, Ottawa, British Columbia, and Toronto, and in the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior. See the Anglican Journal story here.
April 29, 2011 - Integrity Vancouver Reorganizes as Social Network. After 30 years of ministry as a separate, registered society, Integrity Vancouver is reorganizing as a social network and returning responsibility for the pastoral care of gay and lesbian Anglicans to parishes (letter here). Friends can connect and organize through Integrity Vancouver’s facebook group and website.
April 15, 2011 - State of Bishops’ Moratoria Unclear. The Canadian House of Bishops released a statement following their Apr.11-15 meetings that did not renew their earlier endorsement of moratoria on same-sex blessings. Integrity Canada has repeatedly called on the House of Bishops to lift the moratoria they proposed in 2004, intended, the bishops said, to allow General Synod opportunity to make a timely decision on the question. Following the ambiguous outcome of General Synod 2007, the House “held the line” on moratoria. A similar response was expected by some following GS2010. The status quo therefore appears to have been set by General Synod which last year refused to deny the authority of dioceses to exercise local option and recognized that many already had, in limited ways.
June 10, 2010 - Integrity Canada hosts Eucharist for GS2010. Integrity hosted a Eucharist for the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada which met in Halifax June 3-11. Members shared their Synod experiences and pictures in a blog.
June 10, 2010 - Synod stands against GLBT “persecution and marginalization”. General Synod also passed a resolution brought by its youth members calling the Church to “deplore any legislation calling for punishments for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their supporters and encourage our partners in jurisdictions with such legislation to do the same.”
June 10, 2010 - Sexuality Discernment Statement. Seen by some as a “watershed and historical moment,” the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada chose not to make a legislative decision regarding same-sex blessings and instead approved an Affirmation of Sexuality Discernment. The statement indicates that the Synod recognizes that local option is being exercised by some dioceses but offers neither its support nor disapproval. The Anglican Journal quotes Archbishop Fred Hiltz as saying, “We’re not ready as a national church to say, ‘We’re building this into our doctrine that we approve of same-sex unions.’ ... We need to have more conversation.” The response of Integrity members to the statement has been mixed.
Our national newsletter, Integrator … Integrator Archives. Lots of good stuff to read.