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Permissions for liturgical resources

Also in Worship books and liturgical texts

Worship across the Anglican Church of Canada draws on resources shaped by many gifted writers, translators, composers and other contributors. Copyright helps to honour their work and ensures these materials are used with accuracy and care.

As always, use of liturgical texts in any worship setting is subject to the pastoral authority of the diocesan bishop.

For guidance on music and hymns, see Hymnal copyright and permissions.

All liturgical texts at anglican.ca/texts may be used freely for worship and study by dioceses, parishes, religious orders, theological colleges and other ministries within the Anglican Church of Canada, as well as by our full-communion partners. This includes:

  • printing texts for service bulletins or worship booklets
  • creating paper copies for parish or diocesan use
  • projecting or displaying texts during worship in local ministry settings

These permissions apply only to non-commercial use.

Digital distribution of copyrighted material (PDFs, Word files, website uploads, social media) is not permitted unless the resource itself explicitly allows it. Many of the Church’s primary liturgical texts predate online sharing and their copyright does not include digital use.

  • Acknowledge the source whenever you reproduce liturgical text. For example:
    Copyright © 2025 by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. All rights reserved.
  • Be mindful of multiple contributors. Some parts of our liturgical resources belong to individual authors, translators or external rights holders. These are noted within the resource (either in-line on the page or in the copyright or acknowledgements section) and may require separate permission to use.
  • Avoid altering the text. When local adaptations are allowed, clearly note that changes have been made.
  • Ask when unsure. Publishers can advise whether a resource can be used in a particular way.

The final authority on copyright in Canada is the Copyright Act.

Permission requests

To request permission to use material published by the Anglican Church of Canada in a way not outlined on this page, contact [email protected]. Processing times vary depending on the scope of the request and fees usually apply for commercial use. Please include any relevant timing considerations so the context of your request is clear.

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.