CofE allows blessings for same-sex marriage
Following a highly charged debate, the Church of England has voted to allow blessings for same-sex couples but not to change doctrine that marriage is between a man and woman only. The measure passed among bishops, clergy and laity with the final total vote as 250 in favour and 181 against with 10 abstentions. The painstaking process involved recorded votes on 28 amendments which were passionately argued. The measure passed largely intact with only one amendment passed, that any future prayers for blessing should not depart from the CofE doctrine on marriage.
..Warning the vote will break the global Anglican communion
The bishops have pledged to produce pastoral guidance which will replace “Issues in Human Sexuality”, which among other things, said samesex clergy must be celibate. As the debate was closing, the Archbishop of York said it was important people on opposing sides had reassurance that they had a place in the church and there was a settlement. The Church of England Evangelical Council has previously produced a film where speakers floated the idea that churches opposed to same-sex changes in liturgy or doctrine, may leave the CofE. This was referred to again by its co-chair, Ed Shaw, who told synod he wanted to see “imaginative new structures that will permanently protect our different consciences” and spoke of “different parts” of the CofE. Invited guest Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria, represented the global Anglican communion. He told the synod that for churches in the global south, same-sex marriage was a red line and crossing it would break the communion: “Blessing same-sex unions will alienate 75 per cent of the Anglican Communion.. Please, please do not surrender your unique position as the mother church of the Anglican Communion”.
…Global south Anglicans question Welby’s fitness to lead
The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches has issued a statement saying it deeply regrets the decision of the Church of England’s general synod to bless same-sex couples. It questions the Archbishop of Canterbury’s “fitness to lead” a global communion that is “largely orthodox”. The proposal passed at the synod did not change doctrine on marriage, but the GSFA says Anglican liturgy expresses doctrine and a blessing gives the perception that the church no longer sees that sex is only permitted between a man and a woman in marriage. The GFSA is a collection of churches in the south which are conservative in doctrine but have chosen not to leave the Anglican communion.
We’re holding our weekly briefing today (Friday 10 February) at 1200 to consider the outcome of the CofE same-sex vote. Guests include the bishops of Lancaster and Reading. To get the link, email [email protected]
- Highlighted quotes from the eight hour debate here
- Church Times report here
- Recording of General synod debates here
Court case defending Sikh right to wear kirpan in court
The Guardian reports a case at the Appeal Court where Jaskeerat Singh Gulshan, a British-Sikh lawyer and co-founder of the Sikh Lawyers’ Association, is challenging a ruling that bans Sikhs entering courts with a particular size of kirpan, a ceremonial blade that practising Sikhs must carry always. The report says that under existing policy, the kirpan is allowed if it is under 6 inches long overall. Mr Gulshan was prevented from entering a court in west London because his kirpan was eight inches long. He is arguing that the guidance infringes the law and is a violation of the Human Rights Act. It amounts to discrimination on religious and ethnic grounds.
Inquiry demanded into Catholic culture after L’Arche abuse cases
The conference of religious orders in France is demanding that the church authorities assume responsibility for sexual, spiritual and psychological abuse carried at within the L’Arche organisation, a community working with vulnerable people. The Associated Press says a two-year investigation into its founder, Catholic philosopher Jean Vanier, and his spiritual guru, the Rev. Thomas Philippe, revealed seduction, manipulation, secrecy and coercion, with cases involving 25 young women. In a statement, the conference president, Sister Veronique Margron, said there were questions of the Catholic Church’s “entire ecclesial, theological and pastoral culture, since it has been the breeding ground for abuse, manipulation, aggression, lies and even death” .
Ukraine Catholics change Christmas date from 7 Jan to 25 December
The head of Ukraine’s Catholic Church has announced that Christmas will in future be celebrated on 25 December, the western Christian calendar date, rather than 7 January, associated with eastern orthodoxy and Russia. Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said the change had been asked for by the synod of bishops at a recent meeting, after the date became a symbol of a tie to Russia. Recent polls have shown 90 per cent of the population in Ukraine is behind such a move. Catholic Herald story here
