The Anglican Diocese of Kootenay affirms that 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are created in the Divine Image and that advocacy for their human rights and full participation in all aspects of the life of the church is not antithetical to Christian faith, but central to it.
This is a diocese that
- has blessed the marriages of same-sex couples since 2011
- has authorized and celebrated marriage of same-sex couples since 2019 (see Bishop's pastoral letter from July 2019 here)
- authorizes and makes use of pastoral Liturgies for Journeys of Gender Affirmation and Transition
- assumes inclusive language for human beings, encouraging expansive, thoughtful and theologically critical use of images and language for God
Bishop Lynne McNaughton, and the Synod of the Diocese of Kootenay are signatories to the Queer Interfaith Coalition's Open Letter calling for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. Those who have signed this letter are seeking to reclaim the religious voice from those who have sought to weaponize faith.
As signatories, we denounce the historic and current harms caused by fear-mongering, misinformation, disinformation, political maneuvering, and hate speech.
We seek to bring healing and justice on behalf of our communities of faith that have, far too often, been responsible for adverse religious experiences and spiritual wounds that have caused enduring harm to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and their advocates.
About
-
Diocesan Office