Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
United Church of Canada (Intention behind the UCC (Unification of all…
United Church of Canada
Francophones
Place in the UCC
Always had a place, but a minority. Neglected and forced to defend their rights and justify their language.
All French-speaking congregations, parishes and missions from Quebec and Ottawa, whether Presbyterian, Baptist or Methodist joined the union.
Quebec Franco-Protestants were scattered and isolated so joining would mean they would benefit from the infrastructure of the United Church and legitimize themselves before the RCC of Quebec.
Fell under umbrella of Anglophone Presbyteries and Conferences. Communications were almost all in English. Francophones were considered to be converted like other ethnic groups. Missionary efforts were reduced. Francophone ministers were sent to English-speaking congregations leading to assimilation. Pressure from Anglo-Protestants and discrimination from Franco-Catholics led Franco-Protestants to abandon language and culture.
Assimilation
Faced discrimination in Quebec through schooling especially before 1970. They were divided into Anglo-Protestant and Franco-Catholics. Wanted Franco-Protestant school boards. Either sent children to English public schools or very rare Franco-Protestant schools that are expensive.
-
Systematic and systemic discrimination towards Francophones in the United Church. Parallel to what was experienced by First Nations and Racial minorities - but instead the victims of neglect rather than civilizing or colonizing effort. Things began to change in the 1970s when UCC gave support for the development of Francophone parishes and official recognized distinctiveness. Major changes with Canadian Constitution in 1982 and Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Intention behind the UCC
Unification of all Christians. Truly universal Christian Church. Wanted to spread across Canada and share vision throughout and among entire population. Nearly all Congregationalists and vast majority of Methodists joined nearly 70% of Presbyterians and all members of Local Union Churches
Groups that did not join mostly came from Southern Ontario and Nova Scotia, and also a few Anglophone Presbyterian congregations in Quebec.
Groups hoped to consolidate under single banner, and consolidate strength,
1924, UCC was official - they had nearly 2 million members out of a population of 8 million. It is the only Canadian religious institution to be created by federal law. One of the first projects to promote a Canadian National Identity. At this point Canada was not yet independent. A national Protestant Church was a good step towards Canadianization.
Changes to the UCC
Inclusivity
1985 - Liberal Church in Canada, first woman ordained a minister
1985 - Liberal and open positions towards divorce, homosexuality and abortion - and eventually languages after much work. As well as positive actions towards First Nations including an official apology for the treatment of Natives.
French
-
-
1998 - Commission of Anglophones, Aboriginals and Francophones from all over Canada to adapt Church structures to the needs of all regions and all communities.
2001-2003 - reorganization of Church's central structures and creation of 11 programs including UMiF which became responsible for efforts of the Francophone missionaries, as well as defended Francophones within the Church
2006 - Officially work to make the UCC and intercultural church based on fair relations and mutual respect between all linguistic and ethnic communities in Canada. For French-speakers this had been achieved since 1980s.
Between 2003-2012 - lots of $$ invested in the UMiF for development of Francophone missions. Major goal was publication of more resources in French. Budget cuts b/c slow economy. UMiF were consolidated. No formal structure outside the Communities.