Canadian Anglican bishops have selected four from among their own number to be candidates for an election to the office of Primate, which will be held next month in St. Catharines, Ont. The election of a successor to Archbishop Michael Peers, the 11th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, is one of the tasks … Continued
The Anglican Church of Canada will formally address the controversial issue of the blessing of same-sex unions when its principal governing body meets in St. Catharines, Ont., next month. In the past two years, same-sex blessings have become the most divisive issue facing the international Anglican Communion. One Canadian Anglican diocese — New Westminster, in … Continued
More than 300 members of the Anglican Church of Canada’s General Synod (the church’s chief governing body) will elect a new Primate, successor to Archbishop Michael Peers who retired in February [2004], when they convene in St. Catharines, Ont., in May. The election of a new Primate is but one of a number of crucial … Continued
The Anglican Church of Canada’s chief governing body will be asked to affirm that the blessing of same-sex unions is within the authority of a diocesan synod and that any Canadian Anglican diocese, if the bishop agrees, has the authority to perform such blessings. At a meeting March 4-7 [2004], the Council of General Synod … Continued
The federal government’s decision to appeal a British Columbia Court of Appeal ruling that found it completely liable for physical and sexual abuse at the Alberni Indian Residential School is disappointing because it will prolong the uncertainty for those seeking compensation, says Archdeacon Jim Boyles, general secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada’s General Synod. … Continued
The Council of General Synod has appointed Nancy J. Hurn General Synod Archivist. Council made the appointment at its regular fall meeting in Mississauga, Ont., last week. Ms. Hurn, a member of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Islington, has extensive experience in archives work in Toronto, including several years as an archivist with the city clerk’s … Continued
The Anglican Church of Canada’s chief governing council has received a new “framework” to guide the Church’s work and mission for the next six years. The Council of General Synod (CoGS), which governs the Church in years when General Synod does not meet, considered the framework and made several suggestions for revisions. A revised draft … Continued
Archdeacon Jim Boyles, General Secretary of General Synod, and Arctic diocesan Bishop Andrew Atagotaaluk were honored with honorary degrees at the 137th convocation of St. John’s College in Winnipeg last weekend. Archdeacon Boyles received an honorary Doctorate of Canon Law, while Bishop Atagotaaluk received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity. The degrees were conferred by Anglican … Continued
Canadian Anglican bishops have voted to strike a task force to study what the church should do to provide spiritual care for members who dissent from church policies. The bishops spent a good part of their four-day meeting discussing the situation in the diocese of New Westminster which has authorized the blessing of same-sex unions. … Continued
Canadian gays and lesbians will continue to be `welcomed and received in our churches and to have their contributions to our common life honored,’ says Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. In a statement released today, Archbishop Peers said that reports quoting him as implying that the Canadian church would seek … Continued
The following is a statement by Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, on the distribution of a rite for same-sex blessings in the diocese of New Westminster. Last year’s decision by the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster to ask their bishop for a rite for the blessing of persons … Continued
In a gala evening event in Toronto on Saturday, May 24th [2003], Anglican Video was honoured with an award from the Canadian Corporate Television Association for the video program “Gathering at the River” (2002). The national video competition received hundreds of entries from across Canada: “Gathering at the River” won a Bronze Award in the … Continued
Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada since 1986, has announced that he will resign effective Feb. 1, 2004. A letter by him announcing his intention was read to the church’s governing council meeting in Calgary on Sunday, May 11 [2003]. The mandatory age of retirement for Anglican bishops in Canada is … Continued
Ralph Goodale, Minister responsible for Indian Residential Schools Resolution, and leaders of the Anglican Church from across Canada today ratified an agreement that details the payment of compensation to victims with valid claims of sexual and physical abuse at Anglican-run residential schools. The signing follows approval of the agreement-in-principle by all thirty dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada. Under … Continued
“If, however, the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the watchmen responsible for their death.” (Ezekiel 33:6) On March 10th [2003], after prayerful consideration, we, as members of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, met with Archbishop Michael … Continued