Canada Homosexual Marriage Decision Appealed by Faith and Family Groups

OTTAWA, July 7, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops (OCCB), and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) are part of an interfaith coalition which has joined pro-family groups in appealing the Ontario Appeals Court ruling permitting homosexual marriage.  The move has overshadowed the Liberal Government’s plan to send its newly drafted legislation on the subject to the Supreme Court for opinion.  Moreover, the fact that the Ontario conference of Catholic Bishops joined the appeal, allows the Bishops themselves to appeal the ruling their dissident Catholic son – Prime Minister Chretien – refused to appeal.  The Catholic Civil Rights League and the Islamic Society of North America also form part of the interfaith coalition.  Also appealing the decision are pro-family groups, Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC), Focus on the Family Canada (Focus) and REAL Women of Canada,  “We are asking the Supreme Court to reconsider the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal and examine whether a pre-existing social, cultural and religious institution can be deemed unconstitutional” said EFC President Bruce Clemenger.  CFAC President Roy Beyer noted, “We cannot allow this decision to go unchallenged. Due process requires the Supreme Court respond to a provincial court ruling with such profound implications for the whole nation.  REAL Women Canada said that the groups requested a stay on the Ontario Court of Appeal decision, and are requesting the Supreme Court of Canada for Leave to Appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision.