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 . . .
IC team prepares for Lambeth Witness. Five members of Integrity Canada will be travelling to Canterbury, England, in late July as part of the international witness of gay and lesbian Christians to Anglican bishops gathering for the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference. To ensure our presence is unified and effective, Integrity is working with a network of about a dozen LGBT organizations, including Integrity USA & Uganda, Changing Attitude UK & Nigeria, and Courage UK. Read more about this outreach – and how Integrity friends can support it – here.
Huron approves blessing of same-sex civil marriages! Congratulations to the Diocese of Huron which voted in May 2008 in favour of blessings for civilly married same-sex couples by a generous 72%. Bishop Howe concurred with the vote saying he would consult with other Canadian bishops before acting. He joins the bishops of Ottawa, Montreal, and Niagara who are also considering how to proceed following affirmative diocesan votes. Following the Canadian General Synod’s decision in June 2007 that same-sex blessings do not conflict with core Anglican doctrine, Integrity Canada called on Canadian bishops to lift their self-imposed moratorium on blessings. Some have suggested that the bishops are waiting until after the Lambeth Conference in July to make a decision. New Westminster (Vancouver) remains the only Canadian diocese to bless gay and lesbian relationships, although no Canadian Anglican jurisdiction allows same-sex blessings equal to Holy Matrimony.
“Abomination:
Homosexuality and the Ex-Gay Movement.” The Association of Lesbian and
Gay Psychiatrists has released a short
film documenting the corrosive effect of fundamentalist Christian rhetoric
on the faith and health of homosexual people. Like 2007’s "For
the Bible Tells Me So," the documentary traces the real-life impact
of so-called ‘reparative therapy’ on gay youth and adults. Integrity
Canada wrote
to the Archbishop of Canterbury on this topic in 2006.
Our national newsletter, Integrator …
From the June 2007 issue:
The Bumpy Road to Winnipeg General Synod is poised to make decisions against a backdrop of Communion unrest and agitation. "These are stressful times for the Anglican Communion, especially for those (like Integrity supporters) who want the church to change current policies," writes Chris Ambidge.
Crisis of Conscience Some Anglican clergy are already counting the cost of the Church's failure to move forward more quickly. They foretell the consequences should General Synod decide for the status quo, or worse, warns Steve Schuh.
The Gospel Imperative "We proclaim a Gospel that welcomes diversity of thought and encourages free and open theological debate as a way of seeking God's truth. If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision." From the US House of Bishops.
Integrator Archives. Lots more good stuff to read.