Canadian Human Rights Act [revised title]
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official7742
- Date
- 1996 April 26 - May 3
- Source
- House of Bishops Minutes
- Type
- Resolution
- Mover
- Bishop Finlay
- Seconder
- Bishop Bays
- Prologue
- A member expressed his feeling that it would be appropriate to send to the Canadian government support for the proposed amendment before the legislature regarding the Canadian Human Rights Act. He inquired whether the House would be prepared to do so. The change to the Act would make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal.
- Text of motion
- That the House of Bishops support the legislation before the House of Commons to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- Moved by: Bishop Williams
- Seconded by: Bishop Buckle
- That the motion be amended to include:
- That the House of Bishops never-the-less still holds to those sections of the 1979 (House of Bishops) Statement regarding the orientation of homosexual men and lesbians." LOST
- During the discussion that followed some members expressed their feelings that the amendment was inappropriate to send to the Canadian government, because legislation does not affect the internal workings of the Church. Also, it was agreed that if a motion of support was passed, the House needed to
- 1) send the motion of support to the Canadian government, and;
- 2) send a press statement to the Church.
- Moved by: Bishop Burton
- Seconded by: Bishop Lawrence
- That the motion begin with:
- "In accordance with the national House of Bishops 1979 Statement of Principle and reaffirming the 1995 resolution of General Synod ..." LOST
- (The 1979 Statement would be appended)
- Concern was expressed about not receiving the information before hand. The speaker complained about a pattern in meetings of putting motions before the House is prepared to vote on them (the motions).
- The motion was put before the House. CARRIED
- Notes
- Archbishop Peers asked Bishop Ingham and Bishop Burton to write a statement to the Church from the House about the motion of support for the proposed amendment to the Human Rights Act before the legislature. The Primate requested that their statement be brought back for discussion over lunch.
- A plea was made to the Agenda Committee, to schedule issues which require time for some thought earlier on the agenda, rather than at the end when the House is drained of energy and pressed for time.
- The House of Bishops adjourned for chapel.
- Over lunch the press statement written by Bishop Burton and Bishop Ingham was approved by those present.
- NEWS RELEASE
- ANGLICAN BISHOPS SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS AMENDMENTS
- The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada has today sent a message to the House of Commons in support of the Human Rights Act. This is based on the church's belief that all persons are created in the image of God, and that Christ died for all. This statement is consistent with the existing policy of the Canadian House of Bishops since 1979, reaffirmed by the General Synod in 1995, that condemns bigotry, violence and hatred directed towards anyone due to their sexual orientation.
- We wish to make it clear to the church that this action does not change the current status of the 1979 statement with respect to the ordination of homosexual persons. This continues to be a matter of discussion and theological reflection within the House, as within the church at large. No change of doctrine and discipline is being implied. Rather the Gospel imperative of live, compassion and justice is being upheld which continues to be the call of every Christian.
- [N.B. Revised and corrected text of this resolution taken from Appendix x attached to the Minutes of the House of Bishops Meeting 28 October - 1 November 1996, see Resolution entitled "Minutes of the Last Meeting", p. 11.]
- Subjects
- Canada. Human Rights Act
- Homosexuality - Canada
- Homosexuality - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada. House of Bishops
- House of Bishops' Statement on Human Sexuality (1997)
- House of Bishops' Guidelines on the Ordination of Homosexual Persons (1979)
- Human rights - Canada
- Civil rights - Canada
- Homosexuality - Law and legislation - Canada
- Violence against gays