Anglican bishops of Montreal and Quebec respond to Bill 9
The Quebec government’s latest secularism bill will implement a set of heavy-handed solutions to non-existent problems. In doing so, this new law will further restrict the religious freedoms and fundamental human rights of Quebec’s citizens.
We fully support the religious neutrality of the state. A secular state means that our government privileges no particular religion, while creating an environment in which Quebecers of any (or no) religious tradition can fully participate in public life and contribute to the common good.
However, this government continues to enact laws that cross the line from ensuring the religious neutrality of the state to actively interfering in the religious practices of its citizens. It seeks to erase all signs of religion from the public square, rather than understand religious practice as a normal aspect of the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Quebecers.
Restricting where and when people can pray, what they can wear and what they may eat, is a further erosion of fundamental human rights that all Quebecers—whether they practice a religion or not—should find troubling in a democratic society that values rights and freedoms.
One of our church’s principles of being in relationship with people of other religions is to “meet the people themselves and get to know their traditions.” This approach has helped us change attitudes, challenge stereotypes, and build new relationships with neighbours of other faiths.
We have been enriched and blessed, not impoverished or threatened, by such encounters with these strangers who have now become friends and fellow citizens. It is only by engaging our differences honestly and openly—rather than hiding or suppressing those differences—that we can hope to build a truly secular and pluralistic Quebec that provides all of its citizens with the opportunity to flourish.
We therefore call on the Quebec government to exercise common sense and to respect its citizens’ fundamental rights. This is the only way forward to achieve the peaceful coexistence this proposed law claims to seek.
The Rt. Rev. Victor-David Mbuyi Bipungu
Anglican Bishop of Montreal
The Rt. Rev. Bruce Myers
Anglican Bishop of Quebec
We fully support the religious neutrality of the state. A secular state means that our government privileges no particular religion, while creating an environment in which Quebecers of any (or no) religious tradition can fully participate in public life and contribute to the common good.
However, this government continues to enact laws that cross the line from ensuring the religious neutrality of the state to actively interfering in the religious practices of its citizens. It seeks to erase all signs of religion from the public square, rather than understand religious practice as a normal aspect of the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Quebecers.
Restricting where and when people can pray, what they can wear and what they may eat, is a further erosion of fundamental human rights that all Quebecers—whether they practice a religion or not—should find troubling in a democratic society that values rights and freedoms.
One of our church’s principles of being in relationship with people of other religions is to “meet the people themselves and get to know their traditions.” This approach has helped us change attitudes, challenge stereotypes, and build new relationships with neighbours of other faiths.
We have been enriched and blessed, not impoverished or threatened, by such encounters with these strangers who have now become friends and fellow citizens. It is only by engaging our differences honestly and openly—rather than hiding or suppressing those differences—that we can hope to build a truly secular and pluralistic Quebec that provides all of its citizens with the opportunity to flourish.
We therefore call on the Quebec government to exercise common sense and to respect its citizens’ fundamental rights. This is the only way forward to achieve the peaceful coexistence this proposed law claims to seek.
The Rt. Rev. Victor-David Mbuyi Bipungu
Anglican Bishop of Montreal
The Rt. Rev. Bruce Myers
Anglican Bishop of Quebec