The General Synod, the church's parliamentary body, will be gathering this week in London to address the issue of human sexuality. The main focus of the meeting will be proposals to allow same-sex couples to receive blessings. These proposals, unveiled last month, resulted from two years of discussions held under the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) program.
The LLF process aimed to discern and provide guidance on marriage, relationships, sexuality, and identity. Despite the deep divisions within the Church of England over human sexuality, the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed hope that unity could still be achieved.
The Church of England to Apologize to LGBTQI+ Community and Encourage Congregations to Welcome Same-Sex Couples
The Church of England has announced its plan to apologize to the LGBTQI+ community for adverse treatment received in churches and to encourage congregations to welcome same-sex couples "unreservedly and joyfully."
'This plan, which comes after six years of discussions, will be outlined in a report presented at the church's General Synod this month. The report will include sample prayers, referred to as "Prayers of Love and Faith," that couples in civil unions or partnerships can voluntarily use in churches. New pastoral guidance will also be created to replace the 1991 statement "Issues in Human Sexuality" for clergy discernment.
The guidance cites 1 John 4.16 and emphasizes God's love for us and that God is love itself. The church's stance on Holy Matrimony, defined as between one man and one woman for life, will remain unchanged, and same-sex couples will still not be able to marry in a Church of England church. However, they may have a service with prayers of dedication, thanksgiving, or God's blessing after a civil marriage or partnership.
According to Christian Today, the Church of England's General Synod has a five-hour debate scheduled for Wednesday to discuss proposals related to human sexuality. Archbishop Justin Welby acknowledged in his presidential address at the start of proceedings that the last few weeks have been "challenging" and that Synod members on both sides of the debate are coming to the meeting with "fears."
He stated that some members fear the church's decision may be wrong and sinful or discredit the church, while others fear rejection and division. The Archbishop recognized that as human beings, everyone brings their own "baggage" and that it is by acknowledging this that they can listen to the Holy Spirit and each other. In addition to the debate, Synod members will meet in smaller groups for more in-depth discussions.
Also Read: Politics, Not Religion: Church's Gay Marriage Ban Sparks Controversy Among Members
Mixed Reactions to Church of England's Blessing for Same-Sex Couples, Archbishop Urges Unity
The proposals to be tackled this week do not permit churches in England to officiate same-sex weddings; instead, they give blessings to the couples after a civil union or wedding ceremony other than the church.
Despite this, the church still considers these relationships inferior to heterosexual relationships. According to New Statesman, this decision has received mixed reactions; some see it as progress and others as a disappointment. The Bishop of Oxford and a few other bishops have publicly supported the change. Still, most are either opposed or worried that supporting same-sex marriage could lead to the collapse of the Anglican Communion.
Justin Welby emphasized that despite the challenges, the Church of England could come together in a spirit of unity and that it was essential to do so to serve the needs of the wider community. He concluded his address by calling on the members of the Synod to listen carefully to one another and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they worked towards finding a way forward.
Related Article: Controversy in the Church of England: Gay Couples Denied Marriage But Offered "God's Blessing" In a New Move
