The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, says he is “extremely joyful” at proposals to allow blessings for same-sex couples in church, although same-sex marriage in the Church of England is still banned.
He told a press conference outlining the proposals: “This is a moment of joy and celebration. We have actually made decisions. And they are decisions which change our approach to LGBTQI+ people”.
He announced that he would take a “self-denying ordinance” not to bless same-sex civil marriages himself, in case it compromised his role as a focus of unity for the global Anglican communion and as the one responsible for pastoral care.
The proposals were overwhelmingly approved by all 110 Church of England bishops at a special meeting at the Excel Centre on Tuesday. It followed a five-year process called Living in Love and Faith in which all church members discussed this issue, which has bitterly divided the church for decades.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, told the briefing that the proposals put the Church of England in a new good place, holding the unity of the church and acknowledging love in LGBTQI+ people. Becoming emotional, he said: “I’m really pleased it’s changing. For my gay friends, I’m really pleased.”
He affirmed that he would bless same-sex couples, because his role is different from the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose decision he supported.
The panel was asked whether the church had also changed its view that sex was just for a heterosexual marriage. There was no clear answer.
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullaly, who led the project, said there was a range of views about that among the bishops. But in a faithful and lifelong relationship, some will be sexual and some just friendship.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell said that question arose now when couples living together wanted to be married in church: “I don’t ask them questions about it, I celebrate the fact that they are wanting to commit themselves in a stable, loving relationship.
“I believe the great gift of sexual and physical intimacy, to be cherished, belongs in stable, loving, committed relationships. And, therefore, I will celebrate the fact that people are living that way and expressing their intimacy that way.”
Restrictions imposed 30 years ago saying that same-sex clergy must be celibate, are to be “retired” and new pastoral guidelines produced in time for the General Synod meeting in July.
He repeated an apology from all the bishops for the way that LGBTQI+ people had been treated by the church in the past and said damage had been done.
He told of his anguish that an ordained friend was not allowed to say a prayer during his civic wedding or in his church. And Justin Welby told the story of a parishioner who committed suicide because of the way the church viewed his sexuality. He wished that person were alive to see this change.
The bishops’ proposals will be discussed at the General Synod, the church’s parliament, next month.
Background
General Synod papers with agenda and wording of proposals
Round-up of media coverage
The Telegraph: “I will not bless gay marriages, says Archbishop of Canterbury”
The Guardian: “Justin Welby ‘joyful’ at C of E switch but will not bless same-sex civil marriages”
The BBC: “Archbishop will not give new prayer blessing for gay couples”
The Independent: “Justin Welby welcomes blessings for gay couples but will not perform them”
@charliebelllive 10:05 am · 21 Jan 2023 Reflection from ministerial education today: it really feels like something has changed. LGBTQI *erasure* is over. Yes we’ve not got equality, but the sanctioned erasure is over. No more can it be blithely said that LGBTQI people aren’t full members of the church.
@WATCHChair Martine Oborne: This phrase ‘for the sake of unity’ does a lot of heavy lifting in @churchofengland and often covers ongoing discrimination against both women and the LGBTI community. If, ‘for the sake of unity,’ we never made clear theological decisions, we would still be condoning slavery.
@ProfPMiddleton: The @churchofengland bishops have actually used the term “covenanted friendship” in their commended prayers for the blessing of same-sex civil marriage! This would have been excellent guidance for the 1920s! #LLF #JustGoodFriends
On the BBC headline: Archbishop will not give new prayer blessing for gay couples. @charliebelllive Political, but regrettable, untenable and absurd. This is not what unity means.
@PatchworkSteve the Church of England also issued a formal apology for the times it had “rejected or excluded” LGBTQI+ people — while continuing to reject and exclude us …
@BrianColeman251 Absolute cop out by the C of E . Just go ahead and conduct same-sex marriages. Goodness me, enough of your clergy are openly gay and many live with their partners. History will leave you behind …
