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Press release from the General Synod Gender & Sexuality Group and from Inclusive Groups

Written by

Helen King

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During last week’s General Synod, the chair of the debate on the Living in Love and Faith process rightly noted that it’s not a question of who claps loudest, or for longest. Nor is it a question of how many people sign a petition: none of us wants to start yet another ‘petition war’. But as those leading the various inclusive groups which have been involved in LLF as ‘stakeholders’, some of us meeting with various members of the LLF team over the years, we feel compelled to state our position after Synod’s votes in February and in November to move forward with using the Prayers of Love and Faith.

The following press release has been agreed by inclusive groups after discussion among their members, trustees or steering groups.

20 November 2023

We welcome the decision of General Synod to endorse the proposal of the House of Bishops to authorise the Prayers of Love & Faith for public use, including the trial use of standalone services under the Bishop of Oxford’s helpful amendment, and to continue the wider work of pastoral guidance and provision.  This continues the hopeful direction of travel set by February’s historic vote towards greater inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members of the Church of England.

            Of course, many of us would wish for much greater steps, much sooner, including equal marriage in church.  And we are also saddened by the hostile and negative manner in which many have engaged with the process, including the simplistic use of Scripture and appeal to narrow legal points. We look to the House of Bishops to issue new pastoral guidance for ministry, as agreed by Synod last February, and hope this will make generous space for LGBTQIA+ clergy to marry at their discretion, and for priests whose marriages are recognised in their own Province to be given PTO for England.  We also look forward to engaging with the formal process for permanent authorisation of the Prayers under Canon B2, whereby all dioceses will be drawn into the consultation.  The fuller discussion of all the issues involved can only be better for the integrity and honesty of the Church in all its diversity.

            Our response to that diversity is now inspired by the beautiful concluding speech of the Bishop of London, noting that whilst she was now excluded from others’ tables, they were not excluded from hers, and that if she were to be found with those shut outside the door, she expected to find Jesus there.  We hope to speak for many shut out until now, among whom Jesus is found, and like Bishop Sarah, we look to a table from which none are excluded.

            In that spirit we are committed to continued work in partnership with the House of Bishops and all across the spectrum of the Church of England, to seek the broadest possible space, including pastoral provision for those opposed to change, that does not impair the unity of the one Church under God for all people.

Signatories:

General Synod Gender & Sexuality Group, Revd Neil Patterson and Professor Helen King

Affirming Catholicism, Revd Dr Hannah Cleugh

Affirming Catholics in Synod, Jacqueline Stamper and Margaret Sheather, co-convenors

Changing Attitude England, Revd Colin Coward MBE and Revd Robert Thompson

Church for Everyone, Revd Dr Nicholas Bundock and Revd Augustine Tanner-Ihm

Clergy Consultation

Diverse Church, Jade Irwin

Equal, Revd Nigel Pietroni

The Evangelical Forum on General Synod, co-convenors Simon Friend, Ven. Nikki Groarke and Ven. Malcolm Chamberlain

House of Rainbow CIC, Revd Jide Macaulay

Inclusive Church, Fr Dan Barnes-Davies

Inclusive Evangelicals, Revd David Runcorn and Revd Jody Stowell

Modern Church, Professor Elaine Graham

MoSAIC, Very Revd Joe Hawes and Revd Trevor Wyatt

OneBodyOneFaith, Luke Dowding and Revd Jo Winn-Smith

Society of Catholic Priests, Fr. Ian Gomersall, Provincial Rector

Student Christian Movement, Revd Naomi Nixon

Women and the Church, Revd Martine Oborne

Comments

One response to “Press release from the General Synod Gender & Sexuality Group and from Inclusive Groups”

  1. David Hawkins avatar
    David Hawkins

    Here is a draft motion I authored.

    For over 450 years ever since it’s foundation, the Church of England has been opposed to the compulsory celibacy of it’s clergy. This doctrine is very well expressed in the 39 Articles.

    “32. Of the Marriage of Priests.
    Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are not commanded by God’s Law, either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage: therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.”

    But since 2005 Lesbian and Gay clergy in the Church of England have been required to “vow the estate of single life”. (Implications of the Civil Partnerships 25 July 2005)
    Celibacy is an entirely honourable decision for all Christian people, but it is a calling and something that should be freely entered into, not something demanded of clergy simply because their natural human instinct is to love someone of their own gender. The decision of 2005 creates two categories of priests: those who are allowed to demonstrate and express their love physically and those who are denied that gift. Some other Provinces have found a way of avoiding this unhelpful distinction. The Anglican Church in Wales, for example, whilst still not permitting the marriage of two people of the same sex in church, nevertheless does allow lesbian and gay clergy couples to celebrate their love in a physical way. It does not explicitly require celibacy of them.
    We find it offensive that the House of Bishops requires celibacy of its lesbian and gay clergy and believe that such a requirement causes mental ill-health and damages lives.
    We ask for an end to this unjust requirement.

    Reply

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