Inclusive groups call on bishops 'to enable fuller welcome of LGBTQIA people in the Church of England'
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AS GENERAL SYNOD, the Church of England's governing body, concluded on Tuesday, representatives of 18 inclusive Christian organisations published an open letter to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, in favour of ‘a Church of England in which it is possible for same-sex couples to marry in church’.
The letter was also sent to the Bishops of London and Truro as Co-Chairs of the ongoing implementation process of Living In Love & Faith (LLF), the Church of England’s resources on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
It follows a letter from leaders of 11 conservative Christian organisations last week which urged Bishops not to commend blessings for same-sex couples as they would be ‘unlawful, unconstitutional, and illegitimate’.
At General Synod last weekend, members heard an update on the LLF process and asked questions, but there was no debate and no further resolution of the process, which will now be brought to an extraordinary synod in November. WATCH THE LLF UPDATE TO SYNOD [3 hours].
The conservative letter reflects the intentions of those opposed to the House of Bishop’s proposals from the February Synod, to offer Prayers Of Love And Faith for same-gender couples, ‘to delay and obstruct the progress of the Living In Love And Faith journey’, according to the latest letter from inclusive organisations.
The letter concludes:
We wish to thank the House of Bishops… for your creativity and persistence in working to enable the fuller welcome of LGBTQIA people in the Church of England, in the face of sustained and well-organised and well-funded opposition. As you know, we will continue to aspire to go further in the future, but remain in support of the valuable steps forward underway this year and urge you to stick to the course plotted for the health of the Church and the more joyful and honest proclamation of the Gospel of God’s love in Christ to all people in England.
SIgnatories of this inclusive letter, organised by the General Synod Gender & Sexuality Group, included representatives of the following organisations:
