Justin Welby unable to give a ‘straight answer’ on whether gay sex is sinful.

Oct 4, 2017 by Jill

by Gavin Ashenden:

The GQ Interview:

“Asked by Campbell if gay sex was sinful, Welby said: “You know very well that is a question I can’t give a straight answer to. Sorry, badly phrased there. I should have thought that one through.”

Pressed on why he could not answer, the archbishop said:

“Because I don’t do blanket condemnation and I haven’t got a good answer to the question. I’ll be really honest about that. I know I haven’t got a good answer to the question. Inherently, within myself, the things that seem to me to be absolutely central are around faithfulness, stability of relationships and loving relationships.”

[…] I have moved from being simply critical of the Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury, to feeling sincerely sorry for him as well. He experiences confusion where he need only find clarity in the words of Jesus; he experiences conflict where he might find peace in the words of Jesus; he is immersed in doubt where he might find ground under his feet, in the words of Jesus. This is a sad and demeaning place for any Christian to be; but especially one whose primary responsibility is teaching and guarding the faith.

I feel very sorry for him in the face of his pain and difficulty. He is trapped. He knows that the Bible and tradition are authoritative, and has said so in this interview. (Perhaps an Archbishop could do no less, but he must be credited with that.)

At the same time, he says he feels confused and conflicted. He has other ideas running around in his head which he hasn’t examined properly and which disturb his allegiance to Christian revelation.

When a journalist asks a very straightforward question, to which there has only ever been one answer in the whole history of the Church, until just now……what does it say when the holder of such an office cannot discharge the duties of the office?

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