by Tola Mbakwe, Premier
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have backtracked after warning they would cancel a General Synod fringe event on sexuality and the proposed conversion therapy ban.
The event, titled People Change: Sexual Identity Transformation, is due to take place during this year’s General Synod in York, which begins on Friday. It will explore how the Government’s proposed conversion therapy legislation could affect Christians, pastoral care and freedom of speech.
The fringe meeting features Matthew Grech, who was acquitted earlier this year after being prosecuted under Malta’s conversion therapy law for sharing his Christian testimony, alongside Dr Mike Davidson, chairman of the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), and Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre.
Concerns were raised by campaigners and by a social media post from General Synod member Rev Dr Charlie Bączyk-Bell on 27 June, who described the event as “trash” and said it was “genuinely disgusting and astonishing” that it had been given space.
According to the Christian Legal Centre, this prompted a letter from Most Rev Sarah Mullally and Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, warning that the event could be cancelled.
Organisers say the event will highlight “neglected stories of the power of God to transform sexual identity” and examine whether proposed legislation could criminalise consensual conversations, prayer and pastoral support.
General Synod member Rebecca Hunt, who is hosting the event, rejected suggestions that it posed any safeguarding concerns. “The concerns raised are serious because they relate to weighty truths expressed in scripture that pertain to matters of salvation,” she said.
She added: “The Living in Love and Faith process did not result in any changes to the Church’s doctrine. The Church’s teaching… is that sexual intimacy is reserved for one man, one woman marriage alone.”
Addressing concerns over conversion therapy, Hunt said: “Neither Michael Davidson nor Matthew Grech underwent this kind of prayer, but both experienced positive, beneficial change. There is a great need for the Church to understand what kinds of pastoral support and counselling are helpful.”
Critics of the Government’s proposed Conversion Practices Bill have warned it could criminalise ordinary conversations about faith, sexuality and gender.