In response to the House of Bishops’ press release, which outlined the latest Living in Love and Faith updates, the Together trustees have released the following statement:
Living in Love & Faith began in 2017 with substantial theological work which enabled good exploration of the varied perspectives in today’s Church of England. In February 2023 the House of Bishops under the leadership of Archbishop Justin introduced proposals to General Synod which were a compromise, offering no change to the definition of marriage (which many would have sought) but including the introduction of prayers to celebrate the relationships of same-sex couples, and the stated intention to remove the burden of Issues in Human Sexuality from clergy in same-sex relationships. Although we found these proposals disappointingly narrow in scope, we (as the then General Synod Gender & Sexuality Group) supported them, and they secured majority support, as a sign of hope and change to a better welcome of same-sex couples in the life of the Church. We rejoiced in the speech after Synod in February 2023 where the Archbishop of York announced that for the first time same-sex couples would be able to come to church to celebrate their relationships.
Over the past two years we have continued to support the evolving proposals, including the majority decisions of Synod to ask the House of Bishops to enable ‘standalone’ services for same-sex couples (which had unaccountably been distinguished from using the Prayers of Love and Faith texts in existing services) and to lay out a pathway to enable clergy to enter same-sex marriages. At the same time, a relentless campaign has taken place to resist change, focusing on details of procedure and law, and avoiding stating honest views about those directly affected. The recent statement from the House of Bishops has been formed by the impact of this campaign, and we lament the pastoral failure by those to whom we look as our chief shepherds. The grief and pain of LGBTQ+ people and all who care for us has been overwhelming.
At the time of writing it is too soon to assess the full impact of the recent decision and associated, as yet unpublished, theological and legal advice. We urge the House of Bishops to reflect deeply as to how these decisions might actually reflect the clear expressed will of Synod during this first phase of LLF when they are brought to the General Synod in February. Indeed, Synod still offers them the opportunity to renew the sense of hope offered by the original proposals of 2023. It may be that to offer a true welcome to same-sex couples, law or canon needs to change. But that is what Synod does, all the time, and we stand ready to work for change and inclusion by whatever means necessary. We look to the House of Bishops to set out the next steps in that process, and for them to commit to taking them.
(Oct 2025)
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