UPDATE ON LIVING AND LOVE AND FAITH

TOGETHER FOR THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND RESPONDS TO THE DECISION OF GENERAL SYNOD TO PROGRESS WITH INCLUSION OF LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE

It has been nearly ten years since General Synod rejected the House of Bishops’ refusal to change the Church of England’s provision for LGBTQIA+ people. Since then, the Church has invested enormous time and hope in Living in Love and Faith, encouraged by the promise of “radical new Christian inclusion”, following in the footsteps of our saviour Jesus Christ. In 2023, the House of Bishops brought forward the Prayers of Love and Faith. Yet what has followed has not been delivery, but delay — and, in the face of threats and intimidation, a steady retreat from what Synod agreed.

The Church of England remains in an unjust and indefensible position. Clergy are still refused licences, and candidates barred from ordination, if they enter a marriage to someone of the same sex. “Bespoke services” – in which the commended ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ can be offered outside of a regular service – remain unauthorised, albeit with very little legal justification. This is both pastorally and theologically deeply problematic and fails to meet the needs of both progressives and those who find the presence of such prayers in regular services to be painful and difficult.  Together for the Church of England has consistently argued — in Synod and beyond — for the change that majorities in multiple sessions of the General Synod have repeatedly supported, and which reflects our belief that God is a God of justice and hope, who deeply desires us all to flourish in love and faith. Among people in the pews, and among faithful LGBTQIA+ Christians across the country, the need for reform is clear. Delay is no longer a neutral act. It perpetuates harm.

The passing of today’s motion with a nearly two-thirds majority, with the support of Together, cements the direction of travel towards change, and it is now time to move towards delivery, at pace. The working group must start its work, and do so without any further delay. The pain of deferment and dithering was clearly heard in the chamber, and it is now time to make the positive, practical change that so many long for, without structural change to the church. At the very minimum, this means introducing the legislative change required to enable clergy to enter into civil marriages to people of the same sex, but it is also clear that the time is ripe for a full and serious discussion about the doctrine of marriage. Our private members’ motion, which we hope to be tabled in July, will be a first step in that conversation:

‘That this Synod affirm that there are no fundamental objections to being in a committed, faithful, intimate same-sex relationship, and that such a relationship can be entirely compatible with Christian discipleship.’

Comments

10 responses to “UPDATE ON LIVING AND LOVE AND FAITH”

  1. Susannah Clark Avatar
    Susannah Clark

    I very much like your proposed private members’ motion.

    And absolutely this: “Delay is no longer a neutral act. It perpetuates harm.”

    Reply
  2. Matthew Bradbury Avatar
    Matthew Bradbury

    As a retired clergyperson (male, heterosexual, married, liberal catholic) I am pleased to hear that there appears to be movement towards inclusive changes. I have watched people of all ages become increasingly frustrated with and alienated from a church they believe to be uncaring and more obsessed with its own identity than the mission of God’s Love for God’s vibrant but fearful creation. I just hope this doesn’t all just fizzle out in a torrent of hatred and schism.

    Reply
  3. Ian Robson Avatar
    Ian Robson

    An enormous amount of time, money and energy has been given to those who find themselves unable to accept this basic human right, a right which extends beyond the parameters of conservative ecclesiastical dogma. Do these individuals propose separating the Anglican Church from its State? Otherwise naysayers lap up the luxury of sitting on the proverbial fence pretending to observe Christian tenets, but in reality they are creating chaos, sustaining inequality, disrespect, and harm. Nothing to be proud of, one hopes.

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Heeley Avatar
    Elizabeth Heeley

    I fully endorse this motion. If we love as Jesus loved this has to happen. When my daughter married her wife it grieved me that she could not marry in the church she grew up in. The marriage could not be blessed either.

    Reply
  5. John Pearce Avatar
    John Pearce

    I was privileged to lead the Living in Love and Faith course at my church, and it was a transformative experience, bringing to me a new realisation of what Galatians 3:28 has to mean for our church in our time.

    Reply
  6. Maggie Luff Avatar
    Maggie Luff

    Exactly! Yes.

    Reply
  7. Gwilym Luff Avatar
    Gwilym Luff

    I am so grateful for the persistence of all lgbtia people and supporters in this process.

    Reply
  8. Chris Whitney- cooper Avatar
    Chris Whitney- cooper

    What a great motion. I think your summary is very helpful and I long for the time when the CoE is progressive not intransigent.

    Reply
  9. Roy Newman Avatar
    Roy Newman

    Never has there been a better time for the church to break down this wall of hatred and to reach out to the wider community in which LGBTQI+ people have become more widely accepted and recognised as equal members of society. Yes, there is still work to be done, which is all the more reason for the church to demonstrate love and banish hate forever. Is this not what God wants?

    Reply
  10. John Francis Avatar
    John Francis

    I wholeheartedly support the motion. For years LGBT people have suffered from prejudice and hate and it is time that the C of E put this right in accordance with Jesus’s message of love. God loves us all and made us. We should celebrate love where ever it is found. (I am hetero.)

    Reply

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