Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Adopts Statement on Sexuality

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) adopted a major social statement on sexuality with a vote of 213 yes and 134 no. 

 

Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA) lifts prayers for the convention, the ELCIC, and for all those rejoicing and those for whom this is a source of disappointment.

 

The social statement, which directs and informs both church and public policy, speaks of families having various definitions: couples (heterosexual or homosexual) with or without children; extended families of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, step-parents, stepchildren; families of unrelated people such as friends or people living in religious communities.
 

ELCIC Logo

On marriage, the social statement says, “This church affirms marriage as a covenant of fidelity—a public, lifelong commitment between two people in a personal and sexual union.” The statement acknowledges that the traditional definition of marriage is being between one man and one woman, but goes on to say the church is faced with the reality that same-gender couples can legally marry in Canada, the church is conflicted on the subject of same-gender covenants of fidelity, and it is as troubling to some if the church acknowledges and affirms same-gender couples as it is to others if the church does not.

 

The social statement says that the church is called upon "to denounce discrimination, including sexual discrimination, in all its forms." The document says the church knows it is affected "by the biases of our predominantly heterosexual culture, and by our society's call for more openness."

 

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director of LC/NA, present at the convention said, "The passage of this social statement, which is more prophetic than that of the ELCA, marks a major turning point in the Canadian church towards full inclusion. A strong majority of the convention heard stories and passages from the Holy Scriptures as well as the personal witness of gay and lesbian delegates regarding the pain of exclusion and the joy of inclusion. One delegate pointed the assembly to Lutherans Concerned online resources to help the church live out its welcome. Our thanks are due to a host of delegates who stood in line for hours, some of them never reaching the microphone, who prepared wonderful, grace-filled speeches drawing on their own experiences, favorite passages from the Bible, and sound Lutheran theology from the confessions. Once again, today, I am proud to be a Lutheran."

See the full text of the statement.