Bp Martyn Snow writes to the members of General Synod about LLF ahead of the forthcoming meeting

Feb 20, 2024 by Jill

To all General Synod Members:

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I am taking the unusual step of writing to all Synod members ahead of our gathering this weekend. I’d like to set out my hopes for the LLF debate, aware that we are gathering in an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety.

Firstly, questions have been asked about why the LLF papers are in my name rather than that of the House of Bishops. The reason for this is very simple – we wanted to generate a different type of conversation at the meetings of the College and House of Bishops in January. The College and House have the same range of views as Synod and therefore we wanted to avoid a formal vote with the inevitable sense of winners and losers. The outcome was indeed a more considered and helpful conversation. However, as Bishop Helen-Ann has now stepped back from the process for reasons she has outlined separately, and while we do not yet have a replacement, we now have the situation where the papers are in my sole name. And some members of Synod, including members of the House of Bishops, have expressed their concern that these commitments represent a rowing back on previous decisions. This was absolutely not my intention. I have said elsewhere that even where I voted against Synod motions, I am committed to delivering the will of Synod. My concern is simply that we implement these decisions in a way which holds the Church together.

See letter below