Living in Love and Faith: Additional pastoral provision from London Diocese

Dec 15, 2023 by

from Diocese of London:

Until the national process relating to LLF has concluded, including the conversations regarding formal structural pastoral provision, we are living in a time of transition. Most clergy and PCCs in this diocese will choose to navigate this interim period without additional pastoral provision. Others, holding a variety of theological positions, may want to request such provision. The London College of Bishops has listened to what is being requested and have decided to offer additional pastoral provision to those who request it. The College, together with the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, will agree who, from within their number, might offer the most appropriate and helpful additional support. This provision will be exercised alongside the ministry of the Area Bishop or the Bishop of Fulham.

Requests for additional pastoral provision should be made in writing to the Bishop of London as Diocesan Bishop at Bishop.london.correspondence@london.anglican.org with the subject line ‘Request for additional pastoral provision’, copying in the Area Bishop. They should be based on the inability to support the current position endorsed by General Synod, and should set out the theological and ecclesiological reasons why.

A request pertaining to a clergy person alone may be made by the individual themselves. A request from a PCC must only be made with the agreement of the Vicar and the PCC.

Such provision will not meet the full range of desires expressed in recent months, but is considered to be the most appropriate form of provision which can be offered within the legal and canonical framework of the Church of England.

The question of interim additional pastoral provision will be revisited at the point at which the national church reaches agreement on the matter of pastoral reassurance, beyond which anything offered by the London College of Bishops will reflect the national arrangements.

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