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Bp. Galstanian Writes to Canada PM on Same Sex Marriage Legislation

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  • Bp. Galstanian Writes to Canada PM on Same Sex Marriage Legislation

    PRESS OFFICE
    Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
    Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
    615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
    Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
    Email; [email protected], [email protected]
    Website; www.armenianchurch.ca


    Bishop Bagrat Galstanian Comments on Same Sex Marriage Legislation in Canada


    The proposed Same Sex Marriage legislation tabled by the Minister of
    Justice on February 1, 2005 in the House of Commons is a controversial
    issue. If passed, it would make Same Sex Marriage legal across Canada.

    Religious groups, including the Catholic, Christian Orthodox, Sikh,
    Hindu and Orthodox Jewish denominations, are opposed to this
    legislation, as are the Conservative Party led by the Hon. Stephen
    Harper and some members within the governing Liberal Party.

    On February 2, 2005, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of
    the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Diocese of Canada, sent a letter to
    the Prime Minister of Canada the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin expressing his
    deep concern. Inhis letter, the Primate affirms that "marriage is and
    should remain the union of one man and one woman, and the traditional
    meaning of marriage should not be altered or modified", and "we will
    see more serious and difficult problems, because the basic moral
    principles of the perception of family unity are being touched and
    shaken".

    *************************************

    AN OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER PAUL MARTIN from
    BISHOP BAGRAT GALSTANIAN, PRIMATE OF THE
    ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH DIOCESE OF CANADA

    No 2005.039
    February 2, 2005

    The Right Honorable Mr. Paul Martin, P.C., M. P.,
    Prime Minister of Canada
    House of Commons, Parliament Buildings,
    Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6


    Dear Prime Minister,

    I acknowledge the weight of difficulty and challenge that the
    Government of Canada is facing regarding the most recent developments
    on the definition of marriage.

    I am writing this letter as the spiritual leader of a nation within
    Canada whose spiritual, moral and national values have traveled 6000
    years and have been refined since the official adoption of
    Christianity as a religion of the state and nation over 1700 years
    ago.

    As a nation we have found a safe haven in Canada where we have been
    able to establish our homes and families all the while becoming an
    integral part of Canadian society as proud and loyal Canadian
    citizens.

    However, a moral problem is becoming more and more prevalent in our
    society, in a more and more open manner, which is that of
    homosexuality and its resulting redefinition of marriage. Obviously,
    we are dealing with a problem that has always existed but is becoming
    more eminent today. Therefore, although this phenomenon has always
    existed, it is the socialization of the phenomenon that is in
    question.

    While taking into account each particular case and having a pastoral
    concern for the people involved we are convinced that no good for
    society will result from it. On the contrary, we will see more serious
    and difficult problems arise, because the basic moral principles of
    the perception of family unityare being touched and shaken.

    We certainly share the concerns of our spiritual brother His Eminence
    Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic and repeat his questions.

    "Does Canadian society as a whole, and do parents in particular,
    understand what the law will be teaching in this instance? Is it fair
    to put children in the position of having to reconcile the values and
    beliefs of their parents with a novel state-sponsored understanding of
    marriage that may not be truly supported by the majority of Canadians?
    Have you received assurances from provincial premiers that they are
    providing legislative protection for the right of religious officials
    and organizations to decline to celebrate same-sex marriages that are
    contrary to their faith? Are you prepared to pass legislation in the
    absence of such assurances?"

    Also, we are supporting the statement made by the Orthodox Bishops in
    Canada on August 1st, 2003, which states that Marriage is and should
    remain the union of one man and one woman and the traditional meaning
    of marriage should not be altered or modified. This statement,
    however, does not contradict the one that has been explicitly defined
    in the amendment 'Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act', Bill
    -23 passed by Parliament June 2000.

    A clear cut line must be drawn between being a politician and a
    statesman for politicians are concerned about the next election
    whereas statesmen are concerned about the next generation. Therefore,
    we urge the Government of Canada to leave the fate of this growing
    phenomenon up to public opinion by way ofa vote for whatever the
    outcome might be it should ultimately be decided by the public whose
    lives are impacted most by this issue.


    Yours Prayerfully,

    Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
    Armenian Holy Apostolic Church of Canada

    Cc:
    The Honorable Stephen Harper, Leader of the Official Opposition (Conservative
    Party)
    The Honorable Gilles Duceppe, Le chef du Bloc Québécois
    The Honorable Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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