Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes participated in a panel for the Office of Inclusion and Religious Freedom at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in other countries. The panel was called “The Changing Face of Christianity,” was moderated by Director-General Shelley Whiting, and had four speakers:
Dr. Brian Butcher (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Theology, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, University of Toronto Scholar of Theology, Eastern Christian Studies, and Middle East Studies). He gave an overview of what’s going on in Canada and around the world regarding Christianity.
Ms. Marie-Claude Lalonde (National Director, Aid to the Church in Need - International Pastoral Aid Organization of the Catholic Church, offering financial support to more than 5,000 projects worldwide annually. Publishes a yearly report on the Freedom of Religion in the world.) She spoke about the Roman Catholic initiatives around the world for helping people in need and the church where persecuted.
Rev. Dr. Hawkes was the third speaker and spoke about:
The increasing inclusion of the LGBTI community in the Christian church in parts of the world;
The ongoing marginalization, discrimination and even persecution of the LGBTI community by the Christian church in other parts of the world;
The future role for LGBTI Christians in their Church communities.
The Reverend Cannon Laurette Glasgow (Anglican Church of Canada’s Special Advisor for Government Relations Former Canadian ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, former Consul General in Monaco). She spoke about Christianity and the lack of inclusion around women.
“It was a great opportunity to talk to people at Global Affairs Canada about the role of religion, both positive and negative, in the experience of LGBTI people in particular, and how it shapes the societies we all live in,” said Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes. “They [GAC] are doing a series for the GAC staff in Ottawa which was also broadcast more widely to GAC staff around the world. This was a religious literacy series helping their staff to know more about what’s going on in Canada and around the world regarding various religions. They have already had panels on Islam, Aboriginal Spirituality and no faith background.”
“I think it’s a wonderful initiative that will yield good results for everyone that GAC works with,” said Hawkes.