LLF and Reconciliation- taking the wrong path?

“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

These words, from Jeremiah 6:16 were quoted by the Rt Revd Keith Sinclair, retired Bishop of Birkenhead, at the end of his address at Gafcon IV in April 2023.  He had been asked to speak about the global implications of the decisions taken by the Church of England’s February General Synod to introduce prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.  His presentation was masterful and measured – as befits one of the most respected conservative leaders in the Church of England – and it was met with the most extraordinary standing ovation.

A year later, the Rt Rev Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester has also suggested that the Church is at a crossroads.  In GS 2346 Living in Love, Faith and Reconciliation, a paper which he hopes the Church of England’s General Synod will vote to accept at the upcoming meeting, he writes:

“We are at a crossroads – either we have reached the point of separation, accepting that our opponents should not be part of the Church – or we must shift the debate to the question of how we live well with difference.”

Bishop Martyn believes “firmly in the latter option” – and goes on to outline ten ‘Commitments’ which will, in his view, provide the “basis of a settlement” to enable “people at both ends of the spectrum to continue within the Church of England.” 

These Commitments can be found in full at the end of this Blog post. 

Read here