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Content about United Church of Canada

August 18, 2012

First gay man elected to lead a mainstream church

An openly gay man has been elected to lead the United Church of Canada, becoming the first in the world to lead a mainstream religious denomination

The Rev. Gary Paterson has been elected to the role of Moderator of the United Church of Canada, becoming the first openly gay man to lead a mainstream religious denomination in the world.

The United Church of Canada had to hold six separate ballots over eight hours on Thursday to decide between a record 15 different candidates for the role but eventually settled on Paterson.

July 17, 2012

United Reformed Church allows partnerships while Uniting Church debates gay marriage

Two member churches of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches look set to make major decisions about how to recognize same-sex relationships this month, with one already voting to register and bless civil partnerships

The largest British Christian denomination to date has voted to allow civil partnerships to be registered in its churches in the same month that its Australian sister church will debate the issue of same-sex marriage.

Britain’s United Reformed Church voted on July 7 at its General Assembly to allow civil partnerships in its churches following an hour long debate.

However it will be up to individual churches to decide whether they will allow civil partnerships in deference to dissenters.