A message from Archbishop Anne Germond
In August 2022, while attending the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, I had the privilege of joining then-Primate Archbishop Linda Nicholls in presenting a Pride Hope Bear from the Anglican Foundation of Canada to Jayne Ozanne, Chair of the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives (GIC+).
The Pride Hope Bear was a small gift, but it carried a message that was important to us both: that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, respect, and belonging. As we presented the bear, we spoke about the Anglican Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and the well-being of children and young people.
At the time, Archbishop Linda and I were signatories to the GIC+ Declaration on the Sanctity of Life and the Dignity of All, an interfaith statement calling for the protection of LGBT+ people from violence, discrimination, criminalization, and harmful practices such as conversion therapy.
While the Global Interfaith Commission has since completed its work and closed its doors, its legacy lives on. The principles at the heart of the declaration remain as relevant today as they were then—globally, nationally, and locally. The call to uphold human dignity, safeguard vulnerable people, and create communities of welcome and belonging continues to challenge and inspire people of faith around the world.
Over the years, my own understanding has also been shaped by relationships and interpersonal connections. I have come to know many people whose stories have had a profound impact on me.
Like me, they are people who have experienced the gift of loving relationships that have enriched and changed their lives. They are parents who want the very best for their children. They are colleagues who long to see God’s kingdom flourish in the world. They are friends, some of whom have left the Church because they no longer felt there was a place for them within it. Others have remained, offering faithful witness and fierce advocacy on behalf of LGBTQS+ communities. Many have remained single, yet continue to challenge the Church to live more fully into its calling to love, justice, and inclusion.
Through these relationships I have come to see, ever more clearly, individuals who are worthy of love, dignity, and respect—not because of what they do or how they identify, but because they are beloved children of God.
I am also grateful for the many congregations across the Diocese of Algoma that have publicly identified themselves as welcoming communities through the Proud Anglicans network. Their witness reminds us that hospitality is not simply an idea—it is a practice, expressed in
relationships, conversation, prayer, and the ongoing work of ensuring that all people know they are valued and loved by God.
I am a Proud Anglican—and I am proud of who we are becoming as a Church.
May this Pride Month be an opportunity not only for celebration, but also for listening, learning, and renewing our commitment to honour the dignity of every human being.
+Anne
Learn More
Watch the launch video for the Declaration on the Sanctity of Life and the Dignity of All
View welcoming Anglican congregations in Ontario through Proud Anglicans