Broad backing for motion to remove outdated document from clergy discernment process.
The Church of England’s General Synod has overwhelmingly approved a call for candidates for ordination no longer to be required to agree to a 34-year-old document on sexuality.
On Tuesday, Synod backed a motion asking the House of Bishops to remove any requirements relating to the 1991 document Issues in Human Sexuality from the vocations process.
The motion was supported by nearly all Synod members, encompassing a breadth of theological standpoints
Originally intended as a teaching document, Issues in Human Sexuality had assumed a more definitive role to set out expected conduct within the church’s discernment and vocations process.
However although, in its time, it aimed to be sensitive, a paper introducing the item to Synod members noted that the tone, language, and some of the assumptions in ‘Issues are now contextually inappropriate, and appear prejudicial and offensive to many people.
Diocesan Directors of Ordinands are presently asked to confirm that candidates have agreed to “live within the guidelines in Issues in Human Sexuality”.