OTTAWA, June 16 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The soon to be released May/June issue of Reality magazine, a publication of REAL Women Canada, reveals that at least one Protestant church listed as supporting the feminist March of Women 2000 has questioned its endorsement. Reality reports that a pamphlet promoting the March 2000 reveals that it is endorsed by the Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches in Canada, in addition to the Catholic organizations previously mentioned in LifeSite.
REAL Women sent a letter to the heads of the Protestant churches pointing out the conflict of the March’s objectives with Christian principles. While the Anglican Church has not yet responded, both the United and Presbyterian Church moderators sent back an answer to the letter. Presbyterian Church of Canada Moderator, Dr. Art Van Seters, e-mailed REAL Women on May 31st, expressing his astonishment that the Presbyterian Church in Canada was listed as a sponsor of the World March of Women 2000. He stated that there were no references to this in either the Minutes of the 125th General Assembly of June 1999, nor in any of the reports going to the upcoming Assembly. He requested information that would indicate an official endorsement by his church of the March. He was immediately faxed the World March of Women 2000 pamphlet. Dr. Van Seters stated that he asked a member of the National Office staff to explore the matter and get back to him with her findings.
REAL Women has also received a letter dated May 23, 2000, from Rev. William Phipps, Moderator of the United Church. He stated that his church supported the March for Women with full knowledge of its objectives. With regard to promotion of homosexuality by the March, he explained that the United Church “has recognized that our gay and lesbian members want to make the same life-long commitments that the heterosexual members do and to make their solemn vows before witnesses who will support them in their commitments.”