by Gabriella Swerling, Telegraph
Church elders accused of ‘censorship’ after warning organisers of fringe event it could contravene safeguarding guidance
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York threatened to cancel a planned Church of England debate on conversion therapy after critics called it “disgusting”.
The event, due to take place next week during the annual convention of the General Synod – the Church’s legislative body – in York, aims to discuss the implications of the government’s proposed conversion ban for “the Christian gospel”.
Ministers are pushing forward with a proposed ban on the practice to protect LGBT people from abuse, with some victims claiming it caused them severe physical, psychological, sexual and economic harm.
A letter sent last week by Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, raised concerns about the event, warning it was contrary to the ethos of the Church and may contravene its safeguarding guidance.
They added that the General Synod voted in 2017 in favour of a ban on conversion practices and therefore a public display would “act as a public statement contrary to that stated position”.
But the comments prompted supporters of the “People Change: Sexual Identity Transformation” presentation to accuse the archbishops of “censorship”, as they warned that “loosely drafted laws could criminalise consensual conversations, prayer, pastoral support and Christian testimony”.
The event is set to feature Matthew Grech, Dr Mike Davidson, chairman of the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice, both of whom are Synod members, and Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre.