For download:
- ‘This Holy Estate’: The Report of the Commission on the Marriage Canon
- Summary of the Marriage Commission Report
- Study Guide & Questions
- Annotated Bibliography – This bibliography is not exhaustive, but represents a sample of some of the background reading the commissioners undertook during their reflections. Individuals wishing to conduct further reading of their own may find it useful.
In 2013 the General Synod passed a resolution directing the drafting of a motion “to change Canon XXI on marriage to allow the marriage of same-sex couples in the same way as opposite-sex couples, and that this motion should include a conscience clause so that no member of the clergy, bishop, congregation or diocese should be constrained to participate in or authorize such marriages against the dictates of their conscience.” Such a motion will be considered by the 2016 General Synod.
The General Synod stipulated that the preparation of this motion should, among other things, demonstrate that a “broad consultation” has taken place. To that end, a Commission on the Marriage Canon was established, and an important part of its mandate includes inviting “signed written submissions on the matter of amending Canon XXI (“On Marriage in the Church”) so as to provide for same-sex marriage in our church from any member of the Anglican Church of Canada who wishes to make such a submission.”
To this end the Commission on the Marriage Canon invited submissions from members of the Anglican Church of Canada between April 28 and September 30, 2014. The commission’s terms of reference also specifically state: “In order to ensure the credibility of the commission and the transparency of its work, all submissions to the commission will be posted on the national church’s website.” As submissions were received and reviewed, they were posted below in the order in which they were received.
Other submissions solicited by the commission from specialized experts and full communion and ecumenical partners will be posted as they are received. You may consult the commission’s terms of reference below for additional details on its mandate, continuing work, and timetable.
The Commission presented its final report to the Council of General Synod on September 22, 2015.
Submissions from individuals
- April 28: George Edwin Ryder, Diocese of Montreal
- April 28: Melanie Delva, Diocese of New Wesminster
- April 29: Terry Leer, Diocese of Athabasca
- April 30: Rodney Burton Lott, Diocese of Niagara
- May 2: Bob Chandler, Diocese of Huron
- May 4: Adrian Cheong Yan Fu, Diocese of New Westminster
- May 6: Cole William Hartin, Diocese of Toronto
- May 6: John C. Smith, Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI
- May 6: Karl Dean Furr, Diocese of Ontario
- May 8: Karl Dean Furr, Diocese of Ontario
- May 25: James Westwood, Diocese of New Westminster
- May 26: Karl Dean Furr, Diocese of Ontario
- May 27: Laurel Dykstra, Diocese of New Westminster
- May 28: Allan Michael Pearson, Diocese of Huron
- May 28: Hermann Dittrich, Diocese of Athabasca
- May 29: David Blair Smith, Diocese of Ontario
- May 30: Mary Ann Pearson, Diocese of Toronto
- May 30: Mary Jean Gower, Diocese of Ontario
- June 2: Ronald Stevenson, Diocese of Fredericton
- June 4: Ronald Eckstein, Diocese of Niagara
- June 5: Anthony Capon, Diocese of Ontario
- June 5: Carol Hiltz, Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI
- June 6: Anne Storey, Diocese of Toronto
- June 7: Victoria Coakley, Diocese of Ottawa
- June 9: Matthew Shawn Dumouchel, Diocese of Toronto
- June 9: Malcolm Alexander Carmichael, Diocese of Calgary
- June 10: William Norman Heron, Diocese of Toronto
- June 10: Olive Grunert, Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador
- June 11: Brett Cane, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
- June 11: Audrey Owens, Diocese of British Columbia
- June 16: John Rolfe, Diocese of British Columbia
- June 16: Diane Marshall, Diocese of Toronto
- June 16: Kathirene Walker, Diocese of Niagara
- June 16: Worthy Beeler, Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI
- June 17: P. Jane Fowler, Diocese of British Columbia
- June 20: Patricia Langlois, Diocese of Saskatchewan
- June 23: Benjamin D. James, Diocese of Ottawa
- July 2: Lon Towsego, Diocese of British Columbia
- July 4: Doreen Langmead, Diocese of British Columbia
- July 7: Douglass Dalton, Diocese of Montreal
- July 9: Larry Robertson, Diocese of Yukon
- July 11: Jim Tait, Diocese of Qu’Appelle
- July 12: Geoffrey McLarney, Diocese of Montreal
- July 14: Bob Unrau, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
- July 14: Karl and Judy Jipp, Diocese of Calgary
- July 14: Norman Henderson, Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador
- July 15: Donald Neish, Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
- July 16: Chuck Lockhart, Diocese of Central Newfoundland
- July 27: Malcolm Palmer, Diocese of Western Newfounland
- July 30: Brian Johnson, Diocese of Toronto
- July 31: John Reader, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 1: Jerry Muckle, Diocese of Calgary
- August 2: Drew Gauntley, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 5: Donald Gallaher, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 5: Bob & Lois Poore, Diocese of Fredericton
- August 6: Sheila Breen, Diocese of Calgary
- August 6: Douglas French, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 7: Pauline Cheshire, Diocese of Calgary
- August 7: Tony Houghton, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 7: Heather Hyland, Diocese of Ontario
- August 12: Donald Aellen, Diocese of Edmonton
- August 13: John Gishler, Diocese of Calgary
- August 15: Harold Rice, Diocese of Fredericton
- August 15: Donald Tudin, Diocese of Ottawa
- August 18: Martin & Linda Millar, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 19: Joy French, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 20: Margaret Rodrigues, Diocese of Toronto
- August 20: Alan Perry, Diocese of Edmonton
- August 21: Bernie Toews, Diocese of New Wesminster
- August 21: Mary & Robert Thomas, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
- August 21: June Gauntley, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 26: Stephen Warner, Diocese of Toronto
- August 27: Myrna Watt, Diocese of Calgary
- August 28: Roy & Marion Cleaver, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 29: Brian Jones, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 29: Jonathan Turtle, Diocese of Toronto
- August 31: Felicity Robinson, Diocese of New Westminster
- August 31: Scott Robinson, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 1: Brenda Lane, Diocese of Niagara
- September 1: Maggie Helwig, Diocese of Toronto
- September 2: Bonnie & Steven Buchan, Diocese of Niagara
- September 2: Robert Loree, Diocese of Niagara
- September 2: Cathy House, Diocese of Brandon
- September 4: Nestor & Gaye Michasiw, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 5: Michelle Bull, Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
- September 6: Geoffrey Higginson, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 7: Matthew Oliver, Diocese of Edmonton
- September 7: David Asher, Diocese of Calgary
- September 7: Heather Nicholson, Military Ordinariate
- September 8: Robert Blanchard, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
- September 9: George Hall, Diocese of Niagara
- September 9: Warren Lewis, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 9: Jill Longhurst, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 9: Ken & Ruth Jones, Diocese of Calgary
- September 11: Andy Kalbfleisch, Diocese of Niagara
- September 11: Anton Lovink, Diocese of Ottawa
- September 11: Violet Reimer, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 12: Ronald Kydd, Diocese of Toronto
- September 12: Roseanne Kydd, Diocese of Toronto
- September 12: Judy Robertson, Diocese of Niagara
- September 14: Priscilla Turner, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 15: Melrose Scott, Diocese of Kootenay
- September 16: Bill MacMullin, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 16: Keith Osborne, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 16: Michael Weller, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 16: Philip Bristow, Diocese of Toronto
- September 16: Betty & James O’Donnell, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 17: Rod Gillis, Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
- September 17: Ellen Spencer, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
- September 17: Philip Martin & Kathleen Tubs, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 17: Barbara J. Hughes, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 18: Gene Packwood, Diocese of Calgary
- September 18: Winifred Perryman, Diocese of Ontario
- September 19: Hilda Smith, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 19: Linda Bliss, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 19: Robert & Lura Mae Sider, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 20: John Rye, Diocese of Saskatchewan
- September 20: Nancy Wilson, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 22: Joan Alexander, Diocese of Niagara
- September 22: Beryl Baker, Diocese of Niagara
- September 22: Michele deDombel, Diocese of Toronto
- September 23: Matthew Perreault, Diocese of Calgary
- September 23: Rose Anonby, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 23: Stephen Koning, Diocese of Calgary
- September 24: David Parsons, Diocese of the Arctic
- September 24: Alvin Myhre, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 24: Janet Mary Bigland-Pritchard, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 24: Julia & John Davies, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 24: Mary-Kathryn Barbier, Diocese of Niagara
- September 24: Murray Henderson, Diocese of Toronto
- September 24: Sandra Cross, Diocese of Niagara
- September 24: Stephen Bedford, Diocese of Niagara
- September 24: Dorothy Thorpe, Diocese of Yukon
- September 25: Shawn Sanford Beck, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 25: Leslie Van Gorkom, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 25: Neil & Margaret Walker and Barry Salter, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 25: Mark McDermott, Diocese of Niagara
- September 26: Charles Van Gorkom, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 26: Peter Blundell, Diocese of Toronto
- September 26: Joyce Barnett, Diocese of Toronto
- September 27: Muriel Finnamore, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 28: Chris Eve, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 28: Emile & Kyra van Hanegem, Diocese of Qu’Appelle
- September 28: Michael Andrew Smith, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 28: Wilfred & June Robinson, Diocese of Niagara
- September 28: David Kellett, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 29: Alastair McCollum, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Alison Kemper, Diocese of Toronto
- September 29: Brian Johnson, Diocese of Toronto
- September 29: Christine Stam, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 29: Dane Neufeld, Diocese of Athabasca
- September 29: David Curry, Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
- September 29: David McKay, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: David Stratkauskas, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Douglas Mitchell, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Dustin Resch, Diocese of Qu’Appelle
- September 29: Eleanor Woods, Diocese of Niagara
- September 29: Joan McKay, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Judy McCallum, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Lyn Morris, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 29: M. Ansley Tucker, Diocese of Calgary
- September 29: Michelle Eason, Diocese of Montreal
- September 29: Nick Stam, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 29: Patricia Gould, Diocese of Niagara
- September 29: Rich & Avril Revel, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Rigaberta Godron, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: Rosemary MacAdam, Diocese of Toronto
- September 29: Timothy Rains, Diocese of Qu’Appelle
- September 29: Linden Smart, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Vivian J. Rennie, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 30: William Hesselgrave, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Margaret Rouhani, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 30: Maria Shantz, Diocese of Niagara
- September 30: Maurice Francois, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Michael Hawkins, Diocese of Saskatchewan
- September 30: Mike Deed, Diocese of Niagara
- September 30: Nathan Wall, Diocese of Qu’Appelle
- September 30: Patricia Brace, Diocese of Algoma
- September 30: Patrick Cashion, Diocese of Calgary
- September 30: Paul B. Cote, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Perry Cooper, Diocese of Central Newfoundland
- September 30: Randal Ingalls, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Riscylla Walsh Shaw, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Rob Walker, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
- September 30: Robert Calvin Purdue, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Robert Szo, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 30: Roger Spack, Diocese of Montreal
- September 30: Ron Chaplin, Diocese of Ottawa
- September 30: Sandi & Melody Wiseheart, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Scott Haggerman, Diocese of Ottawa
- September 30: Sharon Dewey Hetke, Diocese of Ontario
- September 30: Steve Schuh, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 30: David Neelands, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Dawn Leger, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Dell Boronowsky, Diocese of Qu’Appelle
- September 30: Donald Meen, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 30: Douglas Michael, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: E. Clare Stewart, Diocese of Niagara
- September 30: Elizabeth Sneyde, Diocese of Ottawa
- September 30: Jerry Laskey, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Gordon Maitland, Diocese of Huron
- September 30: Gordon Wilson, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Hugh Henderson, Diocese of Ottawa
- September 30: James A. Dolph, Diocese of Calgary
- September 30: James Seagram, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Janet Peabody, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Joan Ann McKay, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 30: Joanne Davies, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: John & Nancy VanStone, Diocese of Ontario
- September 30: Josh Brown, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 30: Keirsten Wells, Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
- September 30: Kevin J. Farris, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 30: Nicholas & Lindsay Bradford-Ewart, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Malcolm Ross, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Andrea Budgey, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Anne Marchildon-Wong, Diocese of Saskatoon
- September 30: Bill & Marilyn Conley, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Bruce Bryant-Scott, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 30: Bruce McKenna, Diocese of Fredericton
- September 30: Charles Cardinal-Wilson, Diocese of Algoma
- September 30: Christian Harvey, Diocese of Toronto
- September 30: Dave Penton, Diocese of Niagara
- September 30: Jared Power, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 30: Jordan Sandrock, Diocese of Ottawa
Submissions from dioceses or parishes
- August 1: Diocese of Ontario
- August 27: St. John, West Toronto, Diocese of Toronto
- September 21: St. Joseph of Nazareth, Brossard, Diocese of Montreal
- September 24: Diocese of the Arctic
- September 24: St. Christopher, Burlington, Diocese of Niagara
- September 27: Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, Diocese of New Westminster
- September 28: St. John the Divine, Victoria, Diocese of British Columbia
- September 29: St. Cyprian, Didsbury, Diocese of Calgary
- September 30: St. Michael, Sillery, Diocese of Quebec
- September 30: Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, Diocese of New Westminster
- October 30: Diocese of Rupert’s Land (Jane Barter Moulaison)
- October 30: Diocese of Rupert’s Land (David Widdecombe)
Submissions from theological colleges
- August 25: Queen’s College, St. John’s, NL
- October 17: Wycliffe College, Toronto, ON
Submissions solicited from specialists
- July 18: Alan Perry on the Solemn Declaration
- September 11: Hicks Morley on the conscience clause
- September 23: Stephen Andrews on the Solemn Declaration
Submissions from full communion and ecumenical partners
- September 3: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
- December 18: Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order
- June 26, 2015: Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada
Submissions from institutions or organizations
- August 11: Prayer Book Society of Canada
- September 12: Anglican Communion Alliance
- September 30: Anglican Communion Alliance, Diocese of Ontario chapter
- September 30: Gracious Restraint Bishops
- September 30: Integrity Canada
- August 7, 2015: Anglican Indigenous Bishops
Members of the Commission on the Marriage Canon
Canon Robert Falby (chair)
Dr. Patricia Bays
The Very Rev. Kevin Dixon (until November 2014)
The Rev. Dr. Paul Friesen
The Rev. Paul Jennings
Dr. Stephen Martin
The Rt. Rev. Linda Nicholls
The Most Rev. John Privett
The Ven. Bruce Myers (clerk)