Cheri DiNovo is leaving politics for her own parish.

The well-known NDP MPP, who has represented Parkdale—High Park for 11 years, said that as of Jan. 1, she will be minister at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre for Faith, Arts and Justice in downtown Toronto.

“I’m in fact returning to my true love: theology, advocacy and ministry,” said DiNovo, a United Church minister, who wore her white clerical collar for the announcement at Queen’s Park.

DiNovo has been a champion LGBTQ rights and a supporter of improvements to the minimum wage, and was successful in pushing the Liberal government on legislation and introducing her own private member’s bills.

Before making the move to politics, she said she was “privileged to perform the first legalized same-sex marriage,” and later became the only LGBTQ critic in the history of the Ontario legislature.

“Trinity-St. Paul’s is, and will be, a centre for all non-binary, queer, lesbian, bisexual, trans and gay people,” she said, adding the centre will focus on “queer theology and spirituality for all those fleeing oppression based on race, class, immigration status and poverty as well.

“I’m thrilled. It is a place, one of the few, where women’s leadership is extolled and encouraged.”

While DiNovo is leaving Queen’s Park, she’s not going far — and pledged to be there for her political colleagues and their spiritual needs.

The Legislature “will be a part of my parish and I intend to continue fighting for those who are marginalized, but also provide pastoral care for those who are in need in the political sphere, both here and in Ottawa,” she said.

“Political work is non-stop, exhausting and demanding. I intend to be here and there for anyone who needs someone who can listen and someone who can pray.”

DiNovo will continue her “Radical Reverend” radio show on CIUT.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the MPP’s career has been stellar. “She has really made a difference in the lives of all kinds of people from the work she’s done.”

DiNovo had, many years ago, put forward a massive bill on employment standards, Horwath added, containing “things the government is just getting around to now.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

During Wednesday’s question period, Premier Kathleen Wynne lauded DiNovo for her work “on so many social issues. She has always been a champion.”

In 2016, DiNovo decided not to pursue the leadership of the federal NDP because she needed time to recover after suffering two mini-strokes.

Late last year, the province passed the All Families are Equal Act, updating parentage laws and giving same-sex parents legal recognition, legislation that was inspired by a private member’s bill put forth by DiNovo.