Claiming the Blessing Canada is a national movement in the Anglican Church of Canada to encourage the church to bless same-sex couples. At its meeting on Tuesday, April 20, St John's Parish Council endorsed this movement and gave St Johns' support to the following statement.

We, clergy, religious, laity and parishes of the Anglican Church of Canada call upon the General Synod, 2004 to authorize the blessing of same-sex unions.

To bless the relationship between two men or two women is to declare that this relationship is a blessing from God and that its purpose is to bless God, within the context of the community of faith.

The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada recognized as early as 1979 that homosexuals are fully welcome in the Church. There have been many opportunities to study the questions raised by gays and lesbians in the Church since that time. Recent legal changes, both provincial and federal, have pressed this pastoral issue in a new way. Now is the time for Anglicans to provide for the blessing of their same-sex unions. This should be available within their local parish community.

Therefore, we ask the General Synod of 2004 to authorize the blessing of same-sex unions and urge Bishops and their dioceses to make provision for implementation by means of a local option approach. By this action we are committed to celebrating the holy love in faithful relationships and claiming the blessing of God and community.