Welby ‘would rather see C of E disestablished than split over same-sex marriage’

Feb 2, 2023 by Jill

by Harriet Sherwood, Guardian:

Archbishop is said to have made comment in response to MPs querying church’s approach.

The archbishop of Canterbury has said he would rather see the Church of England lose its privileged status as the established church of the country than risk the global church fracturing over disagreements on same-sex marriage, the Guardian has been told.

Justin Welby, who will crown King Charles in a religious ceremony in May, reportedly made the comment at a private meeting with about a dozen MPs at Westminster on Monday.

The MPs raised concerns about the prospect of the C of E offering blessings to same-sex couples who have legally married, but continuing to refuse them a church wedding.

Several MPs broached the question of whether the C of E should retain its status as the established church when it was out of step with the law of the land and with public opinion.

Welby replied that he would rather see the church disestablished than risk losing conservative groups within the global Anglican church, the Guardian has been told by people present.

[…] A Lambeth Palace spokesperson said: “The Archbishop agreed to meet for a private conversation with MPs and it’s disappointing that some parliamentarians have chosen not to honour the terms of the meeting.

“We do not recognise the account of the private discussion as it has been leaked, which was much more nuanced and complex than how it has been described.”

Read here