Anglicans in the Vancouver area were on the international hot seat following a controversial vote to bless same-sex unions. Eight parishes broke away in protest, forming the Anglican Communion in New Westminster. Meanwhile, the federal government and national church continued talks on residential school issues, finally reaching a settlement in November. Internationally, Rowan Williams replaced George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury.

MP Svend Robinson tabled bill C-415, later renamed C-250, calling for the inclusion of homosexuals for protection under Canada's hate crimes legislation. Canadian Christians fear the proposed law could label the Bible as hate literature. Other outspoken Christians took a stand on religious freedom issues, including printer Scott Brockie, pastor Mark Harding, teacher Chris Kempling and activist Ken Campbell.

Traditional marriage is in big trouble. The 2001 census shows higher levels of co-habitation and greater openness to same-sex "marriage." On the legal front, courts in Quebec and Ontario agree the restriction of marriage to heterosexual couples violates the Charter and asked Parliament to change the definition to include same-sex couples. Also this year, the federal government released two reports on the legal recognition of same-sex unions.

Opinions flew fast and furious when Tyndale College and Seminary backed out of hosting an annual juried art exhibition that included pieces by Christian artists depicting nudity. A later competition celebrated Imago's 30th anniversary and featured an unprecedented top prize of $10,000. Musically, Canadian artists came into their own with the first ever Vibe Canadian Gospel People's Choice Awards.

NOW TV received a long-awaited licence to open a station in Winnipeg, while Christian radio stations in Ontario vied for a coveted broadcast licence. Lorna Dueck, the popular host of "Listen Up," resigned her TV post, while "100 Huntley Street" celebrated its 25th anniversary. In the newspaper world, ChristianWeek launched ChristianCurrent, a chain of regional newspapers.

Roman Catholic youth from around the world flocked to Toronto in July for World Youth Day, although lower numbers than anticipated caused a large deficit. Pope John Paul II made a visit prompting a flurry of media coverage and a throng of adoring fans as well as critics. Evangelical youth made their faith public at Soul Survivor, Youth On A Hill and The Cry among other events.

Evangelicals were again in an uproar with the release of Today's New International Version of the Bible, a translation some say goes over the line when it comes to gender equality. In Canada, native Bible translation made huge inroads with work completed or nearing completion in Naskapi, Inuktitut, Mohawk and other languages. The Jesus video was also translated into Innu.

The spanking debate rages on. Early in the year the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld spanking as a legitimate means of discipline, but in October the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to review the constitutionality of the 110-year-old law. Meanwhile, a former nun in PEI was jailed for using a rod to unnecessarily punish children in her commune.

After years of pressure from human rights groups and church organizations, Calgary-based Talisman Energy announced it would sell its controversial stake in a Sudanese oil project for $1.2 billion. Talisman has long been under fire for operating in a civil-war zone and generating hundreds of millions in revenue for a government accused of widespread human rights abuses.

An ancient ossuary (bone-box) said to belong to James the brother of Jesus made the headlines, first by its existence and then for the damage it sustained en route from Israel to Toronto for exhibition. In other news, Gary Walsh resigned as president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada; the search continues for a replacement. Meanwhile, the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada is embroiled in a dispute over the role of women in leadership.