Group seeks to renew Canada’s moral direction with prayer, reparation, penance

Ottawa, Canada, Aug 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm

In the wake of the recent legalization of homosexual marriage in Canada--a step which some see as another step down the slippery slope of moral relativism in national law--one group is hoping to turn the tide through an offering of themselves, their prayer, and their personal reparation.

Canadians for Renewal is a group of Catholics and Christians whose main goal, they say, is “the renewal of Canada through personal repentance and conversion as well as through unified reparation, prayer and penance.”

Their plan is to organize an all-night prayer vigil in various reaches of the country which will center around time-honored prayers of the Church, Mass, and the sacrament of Reconciliation. Although the proposed program is Catholic in nature, other Christian groups are invited to join while following the general format laid out by Canadians for Renewal.

“We're gathering our forces together”, the group said, “for the salvation of our country, its citizens and its future generations.  We're standing together to reclaim our country for Christ!”

The vigils, which are scheduled for September 23-24, and November 18-19, take their theme from the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, "If My people who bear My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My presence and turn from their wicked ways, I Myself will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land." 

British Columbia Senator Gerry St. Germain, who was quoted by the CBC shortly after the gay marriage legalization, expressed fear that judges were stepping outside of moral bounds by determining laws which are unconscionable to many.

"If we don't stop this”, he said, “...I know what the next steps are. Euthanasia. Decriminalization of marijuana.”

Anyone interested in joining Canadians for Renewal in their efforts or learning more about the group can reach them at: cbmccabe@golden.net