The members of Integrity present at GS2001 issued a public acknowledgement of Bishop Michael Ingham's apology, made during his presentation on the evening of 6 July 2001. Since the apology was issued as part of Synod, Bishop Barry Hollowell agreed to read Integrity's thank-you into the general procedeedings of Synod.

[Bishop Hollowell speaking:]

Your Grace, Mr. Prolocutor, Members of Synod -

The theme of this Synod - "Towards Healing, Reconciliation and the New Life" - is one that has touched and challenged each one of us as we have journeyed through the time of this Synod.

One of the privileges I have had in the relatively short time I have been Bishop of Calgary, has been to grow in friendship with the Calgary chapter of Integrity. Someone asked me near the beginning of Synod what I have found surprising since being ordained Bishop. My response is to share that I have been surprised by many more moments of grace than I had dared to hope or imagine. One of the things, though, I miss in this wonderful ministry of being bishop (and I do mean that) - is the pastoral planning and praying of liturgy with a community of people with whom you are growing in relationship and in the rhythms of the liturgical year and indeed of life itself.

Over the past year and a bit, the Calgary chapter of Integrity has invited and welcomed me to do just that - and for that I thank them. We are friends ... and it is in that spirit of friendship that the leaders of Integrity across Canada, who have been here during this Synod (albeit not as members of this Synod), have asked me to read the following letter.

Integrity Canada
Gay & Lesbian Anglicans and friends

July 9th, 2001

To: The Right Reverend Michael Ingham
and members of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.

On June 1, 2001, the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster asked their bishop to apologize to lesbian and gay people for the slowness in which there for inclusion in the life of the church is being realized. This past Friday evening, before the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop Ingham offered that apology. And he went further, asking forgiveness for the mistreatment gay and lesbian people experience as we seek to live and minister in the fullness of our Christian faith and humanity. He expressed hope that one day gay and lesbian people will become equal members in the Anglican Church, even as all believers are equal members of the Body of Christ.

Speaking on behalf of lesbian and gay Anglicans in Integrity chapters across Canada, we acknowledge and appreciate this sincere and heartfelt expression, and we will share Bishop Ingham's message with our members and friends. In all honesty, for many this apology is long overdue, and some will find it difficult to accept -- the injustice has been severe and pervasive, and it continues.

We are encouraged, however, that the spirit is moving us toward a greater understanding of one another, and a greater appreciation for the uniqueness of God's image in every human being. We are thankful that our church is beginning to recognize the full humanity of gay and lesbian people. And we rejoice that, in some places, our church recognizes that God's grace is operative in our committed relationships and that the spirit has equipped us to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ to the world.

In the words of our Synod theme, we also affirm that the "Healing, Reconciliation and New Life" to which the Spirit is calling our Church includes everyone. No one is unwelcome. Our friendships with those who find our inclusion difficult are important to us, and we pray that God will use our struggling together to forge a stronger bond among us. With all those who name of the name of Jesus, we look forward to the day when all God's children -- gay and straight, in every diocese in our Communion -- will experience the wholeness and healing that comes with belonging in the family of God.

[signed]

Steve Schuh
President, Integrity/Vancouver

Peter Tovell
Co-convener, Integrity Calgary

Bob Webster, Priest
Integrity member, Winnipeg

Patti Brace
Integrity member,Sudbury

Ron Chaplin
Integrity member, Ottawa

Chris Ambidge, Bonnie Crawford-Bewley
Co-conveners, Integrity Toronto