Evangelicals hold talks with Church of England bishops over transgender guidance

May 23, 2019 by

from Christian Today:

The organisers of an open letter signed by 3,000 lay and ordained members of the Church of England opposing recent transgender guidance have met with bishops to raise their concerns.

The guidance published by the House of Bishops last December has encountered huge opposition from conservative members of the Church of England.

It formally commends the incorporation of the existing rite for the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith into services of welcome for transgender people.  Clergy are advised that services should have a “celebratory character”, incorporate elements such as water and oil, and address trans people by their chosen name.

An open letter so far been signed by 3,150 people calls the guidance a “misuse” of baptismal liturgy that rejects physical differences between male and female without theological justification.

It reads: “Although reaffirmation of baptismal vows might well be appropriate at certain seasons of life, it should primarily be focussed on celebrating new life in Christ rather than a new situation or circumstance, as set out in Common Worship: Christian Initiation, and should always centre on salvation, repentance and faith rather than ‘unconditional affirmation’.”

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