Oxford diocese issues clergy guide for ‘welcoming and honouring’ LGBTI+ people

Nov 1, 2018 by

from Christian Today:

Four bishops from one of the largest dioceses in the Church of England have issued a pastoral letter warning clergy against ‘instrusive questioning’ about sexual practices and saying it is ‘unacceptable’ to tell people sexual orientation can be changed by faith.

The letter from the Diocese of Oxford to 1,500 ministers is signed by the Bishops of Oxford, Dorchester, Buckingham and Reading.

It also announces a new chaplaincy team for LGBTI+ people, aimed at providing ‘insights and advice to clergy and bishops about being church together’.

The letter refers to the call by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for a ‘radical new Christian inclusion in the Church founded in scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology and the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it’ and to the CofE’s continuing conversations about the issue. However, it says, ‘Whilst this work is going on, attitudes to LGBTI+ people in Church and society continue to change and evolve and other churches in the United Kingdom and the Anglican Communion engage in similar conversations.’

It continues: ‘LGBTI+ Christians have always been, and remain, actively involved as clergy and laity in all areas of church life, and at all levels. How open and authentically themselves they may be in this is the issue at stake.’ It says the CofE has ‘continually failed our sisters and brothers in Christ’.

Debates about sexuality and gender, it says, should be conducted ‘with attention to people’s experiences and in a spirit of love, mutual care and respect’.

Read here

Read letter here

Read also: LGBT chaplaincy team planned by diocese in response to past ‘hurt and exclusion’ by Alex Williams, Premier

Watch:  Kevin Kallsen and Gavin Ashenden discuss.

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