Justin Welby says the CofE has taken “a huge step” in recognising same-sex ‘marriages’
from Christian Concern:
Recognising same-sex marriages and offering prayers of blessing for couples in same-sex relationships is “a huge step” for the Church of England, Justin Welby has told Sky News’ Beth Rigby. The Archbishop added that while he strongly welcomed the Church’s decision, he has said that he will not personally carry blessings out due to his “pastoral responsibility for the whole communion”. However, when pressed if there was an uncomfortable conflict for him over that position, the Archbishop said: “It’s not comfortable. But, you know, the Church is deeply divided over this issue… We have to face that reality – it’s no use wishing the world was other than it is.” Learn more about the decision made by CofE bishops to offer prayers of blessing for same-sex couples in church services and read our response: https://christianconcern.com/news/cof… —-
You can read the full transcript of the Archbishop’s interview with Beth Rigby below:
Beth Rigby: Archbishop, if I may, I’m going to ask you something about another subject. In the report you talk about ending discrimination, but you’ve also been accused yourself, of discrimination against LGBT people and I think there was a demonstration outside yesterday where you went to talk to people.
Now, it’s 10 years ago today that [the] same-sex marriage bill was passed in the House of Commons and here we are with the church refusing to back gay marriage. You’ve personally refused to bless same-sex marriage. Is there an issue of credibility here, that, on the one hand, you’re asking for inclusion and better care for the elderly and people in our communities in society whilst, on the other hand, you’re discriminating against the LGBT community. That’s what people might think.
Justin Welby: That’s what people might think. I accept that’s what they people might think and that’s… they weren’t talking about care last night, the people outside demonstrating. I went out there. There’s Ben Bradshaw MP and Jayne Ozanne leading, and Peter Tatchell, and they were saying that we got it wrong as a church.
There are two things there. First, we have made [a] huge step which is to say that if someone is married, in a civil marriage, equal marriage, to someone of their own gender, same-sex marriage, that they can come to church and have that marriage recognised and thanked for, and dedicate themselves to God and seek God’s blessing in their lives, and that’s something that we’ve never done before, and it’s controversial. I’m getting equal amount of flack from the other side about having compromised traditional Christian standards.
The second thing is the Archbishop of York who’s going to use these resources that we’ve published, and I’m not, are on exactly the same page. We welcome these resources strongly, but we have slightly different jobs. I’m also the senior Bishop, in one sense or another, the first among equals around the whole world, where in many countries there are very, very different attitudes, and my job is the pastoral care and to care for and support people in 165 countries with every sort of culture and language.
BR: If you were not the first among equals, would you personally bless same-sex marriages, if you were not.
JW: I support the use of these resources. They bless the people in same-sex marriages.
BR: So, is it hard for you to not be able to do what you personally would like to do then?
JW: No, I accept that it’s part of my role. It’s just the way it is.
BR: But, you accept that there’s a conflict there that’s uncomfortable.
JW: Yeah it’s not comfortable, but, you know, the church is deeply divided over this issue. Every Global Church is and the church in this country is in every denomination. We have to face that reality. There’s no use wishing the world was other than it is.
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