Living the Christian faith in the midst of rapid and complex changes in society requires careful consideration and reflection by all members of the church. The Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee, with staff support, promotes theological reflection and identifies resources for ongoing discussions. In addition to current ongoing discussion of issues related to human sexuality, a Human Life Task Force is being formed to offer theological reflection on issues related to the beginning and end of life and the nature of being human.
Staff and church representatives serve on ecumenical committees committed to shared reflection and appropriate advocacy in particular areas. Current committees include the Ecumenical Health Care Network and the Biotechnology Reference Group through the Canadian Council of Churches.
Listed below are resources and/or links to other sources to assist Anglicans in considering current issues:
Codes of Ethics
The Council of General Synod in November recommended that General Synod 2007 affirm this document and commend it to dioceses, encouraging each of them to develop a code of ethics for ministry.
Human Life Task Force
The Human Life Task Force, established as part of Faith Worship, and Ministry and its Ethics and Interfaith Relationships Working Group, had its inaugural meeting in November of 2005. Called together to ‘reflect theologically on the ethical issues surrounding bio-technologies, euthanasia and assisted suicide, reproductive technologies and human cloning and to monitor ongoing developments in these areas’ (General Synod resolution, 2001), the Task Force met by teleconference in the summer of 2005 and met face to face in Toronto last month.
- Duty of Care Case Studies: Scenarios for discussion of clergy responsibilities in face of a pandemic.
- Pandemic Preparedness: The task force has been considering the theological and ethical challenges that we will face in the event of a pandemic.
- A report of the residential meeting of the newly formed Human Life Task Force, November 10-12, 2005
Same Sex Blessings/Homosexuality/Marriage
Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide
- CARE IN DYING: A Consideration of the Practices of Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide
Euthanasia and/or physician assisted suicide continue to be widely discussed.Legislation to permit physician assisted suicide has been introduced in the past though not yet passed. The following report and study guide, produced by the Anglican Church in March 2000, will be of assistance to those seeking to explore the issues from a faith perspective. The Faith, Worship & Ministry Committee would be pleased to receive your comments and responses.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology Reference Group (Canadian Council of Churches)
Members of the Canadian Council of Churches join this group in order to consider the implications of current rapid advances in biotechnology in relation to a Christian understanding of the nature and purpose of human life under God.The group monitors government policy; technological discoveries and, where appropriate, advocates for appropriate responses.
- Beginning Biotechnology Guidelines
Reflections on guidelines for Christians as we wrestle with the opportunities and challenges afforded by biotechnology and its discoveries. PDF document on the Canadian Council of Churches website. - Guidelines for Ethical Reflection in Biotechnology
Talking points for discussion and reflection. Adapted from: Guidelines – Biotechnology Reference Group, Canadian Council of Churches. - Life: Patent Pending
A discussion starter on the issues surrounding the patenting of life - Becoming Human: On Theological Anthropology in an age of Engineering Life
A congregational study resource.
Ecumenical Health Care Network
The Ecumenical Health Network is a project of the Commission on Justice and Peace of the Canadian Council of Churches. In February 2002, it convened a forum of over 100 senior church leaders and health care providers to consider the future of health care in Canada. In May, 2003, the Network was invited to follow up its written submission to the Romanow Commission with an oral presentation. Throughout 2003, it was engaged in follow-up work based on the recommendations contained in the Romanow Report. In 2004 we called for a process of broad participation leading to the adoption of a Health Care Covenant for All People in Canada. Advocacy for the covenant continues to be a priority. The following are fact sheets related to aspects of our current health care concerns. Please read and share!
“Celebrate Medicare Week”
AN INVITATION to all CONGREGATIONS…….
The Ecumenical Health Care Network of the Canadian Council of Churches invites every congregation and community across the country to join in a time of celebration and renewal of Canada’s commitment to ensuring the preservation and strengthening of its universal public health care system, better known as medicare. To this end, we have named the week of November 18th “Celebrate Medicare Week”. more information…
Fact sheets on key health care issues (PDF format)
- A Health Covenant
- Prescription Drugs
- For-Profit Health Care
- Health Care Funding
- The Health Council of Canada
- Home Care
- The Problem of Wait Times
Health Care For All – A Public Good, Not a Private Benefit… is an information sheet highlighting the importance of our public healthcare system and challenging current myths about its effectiveness.
Environmental Ethics
As Christians explore the relationship between ourselves and our environment we must face our responsibility for its care and protection. The following links provide information on how Anglicans and others are tackling the issues before us:
- Greeningspirit.ca is a gathering place for Anglicans of BC and the Yukon who share a passion for the stewardship of creation and are prepared to pledge action in its care.
- Environmental Commission Declaration – Notes & Reflections – from the Diocese of British Columbia, 2004 – provides theological reflection on our relationship with creation with questions for study and reflection.
- Greening Sacred Spaces – an interfaith endeavour to focus on concerns for healing the earth. Source for The Green Rule and information on greening our homes and religious spaces.
