Press Release: Church of England Media.
The House of Bishops has shared a letter to the wider Church of England setting out an agreed position as it prepares to bring the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process – which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage – to a conclusion.
The letter, in the form of a statement from the House, speaks about proposed new bodies to be set up once LLF comes to a conclusion; confirms an agreed approach to any further changes and rules out so-called Delegated Episcopal Ministry at this stage.
Following a General Synod vote in February 2023, same-sex couples can now receive public prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessing – known as the Prayers of Love and Faith (or PLF) – as part of a regular church service.
At a meeting today, the House confirmed the decision taken at its meeting in October that, based on legal advice, new special or ‘bespoke’ services using Prayers of Love and Faith would need full formal authorisation under canon law.
They also acknowledged that general permission for clergy to be in a same-sex civil marriage would require a formal legislative process and agreed to explore what legislation would be needed.
And they made clear they could not agree to placing some parishes under the care of bishops with “separate and independent jurisdiction” as a result of the Prayers of Love and Faith at this stage.
The bishops’ letter details how a new working group would carry out the theological and legislative preparatory work needed and report back to the new General Synod – which will be elected later this year – with recommendations within the first two years after the election.
The House recognised and regretted the deep hurt, particularly to LGBTQI+ people, caused by the decisions.
It agreed a letter to the Church, bringing LLF and the process initiated by the February 2023 Synod vote to a formal conclusion and setting out steps to be taken next. A vote of bishops to issue the letter achieved overwhelming consensus across traditions and the range of theological views on questions of sexuality and marriage.
Those steps include establishing a Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group to support the House of Bishops and enable it to:
- Engage in preparatory work and explore the approval process under Canon B2 that would be necessary for bespoke services of Prayers of Love and Faith;
- Explore what legislative changes would be required to enable clergy to enter same-sex marriage;
- Continue to explore what pastoral episcopal provision and reassurance would be required, proportionate to any further proposed changes;
- Report back to General Synod with recommendations within the first two years following the upcoming elections.
A new Pastoral Consultative Group will also be set up to advise bishops and archdeacons on specific cases in the interim and facilitate consistent practice across the Church.