Church of England clergy issue shock rebuke to Bishops’ conservative view on sexuality

Feb 15, 2017 by Andrew Symes

by Harry Farley, Christian Today

The Church of England’s clergy have issued an extraordinary challenge to its conservative line on marriage by throwing out a bishops’ report on sexuality.

In a major revolt against the CofE’s hierarchy, members of the Church’s General Synod rejected a report by top bishops that said there was ‘little support’ for changing the view that marriage was between one man and one woman.

The shock result plunges the Church into confusion on its stance on marriage with the bishops’ report barred from being discussed until the end of this synod in 2020.

Although a majority of members overall voted in favour, a move by campaigners against the report forced the synod to split into its three separate houses – the laity, the clergy and the bishops – with all three needing a majority for it to pass.

But the clergy voted by 100 to 93 against, in a rebuke to the bishops’ authority.

It is unprecedented that a ‘take note’ motion, usually passed on the nod, should fail and highlights the tide of anger from all sides within the Church over the bishops’ report.

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Result of the vote on the House of Bishops’ Report

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