MOOSE JAW REVEREND ASKS FORGIVENESS FROM LGBT COMMUNITY ON BEHALF OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
(Photo: CBC News)
Saskatchewan minister Jim Tenford has written a letter to the LGBT community asking for forgiveness on behalf of churches.
“Another important part of Christianity is forgiveness and so I ask you something which maybe I have no right to ask. I ask that you forgive the church and those of us who claim to follow the way of Christ. As in so many other matters of civil rights that humanity has struggled with, the church has often been slow to get on board, but once we do, we can be powerful allies,” wrote Tenford in his letter.
Tenford says that he has worked very hard to make his church a welcoming place and he hopes that all churches can come to resolution with the LGBT community.
Many people were inspired by the minister’s words.
“I am really moved by this letter. As someone who has experienced a lot of rejection from my home church(es), it is incredible to be supported in this way,” commented one reader.
The letter was posted to the Moose Jaw Pride Facebook page to mark Pride Week. The website had so many visits, it temporarily shut down.
Tenford says he is baffled by the fact that a welcoming church is out of the ordinary.
“A church being welcoming should be like a hospital that heals.”
