MORE than 130 members of the General Synod have signed a letter expressing their view that the proposal of a “reset” of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process is unwise, and that talk of a “settlement” for those opposing the introduction of blessings for same-sex couples fails to honour decisions taken by the Synod.
Last week, the co-chairs of the LLF process, the Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, and the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, co-wrote an article for the Church Times during which they argued for a “reset” of the method to permit for “reconciliation and bridge-building” (Comment, 26 January). (On Thursday, 1 February, Dr Hartley announced that she can be standing down as as co-chair of the LLF process. Story here).
The bishops also met representatives of assorted groups energetic in the controversy on sexuality within the C of E, from which various accounts have surfaced online, and which has prompted a co-ordinated response from the General Synod Gender and Sexuality Group (GSGSG).
The letter, seen by the Church Times and sent to the bishops on Wednesday, says that the group understands the bishops to be proposing not to maneuver forward with pastoral guidance allowing priests to enter into same-sex civil marriages until “some type of settlement” has been agreed.
It is unclear what form such a settlement would take, or what provisions it could contain; but, last week, Dr Hartley and Bishop Snow wrote of the hope that it “allows as many individuals as possible to stay inside the Church of England”.
The GSGSG letter says: “It is evident that the mind of Synod, determined by due synodical process, is to implement those things agreed in February [2023], being recent pastoral guidance to switch Issues in Human Sexuality and to introduce the complete Prayers of Love and Faith, including the stand-alone services. It can be clear that Synod has rejected this implementation being depending on an agreed settlement or structural provision. . .
“Any delay in moving forward shall be seen as a failure by the House of Bishops to implement votes passed in Synod and a rejection of the courtesy of Synod in welcoming your proposals. This is not going to reset the tone of the controversy in a positive direction, neither will it construct trust for any reconciliation discussions on maintaining unity.”
Reports from those that attended the meetings last week also solid doubt on when, or if, stand-alone services shall be trialled — although the Church Times understands that proposals for such trials are more likely to be included within the “commitments” that Dr Hartley and Bishop Snow will bring before the Synod later this month.
In November, the Synod narrowly carried an amendment that called on the House of Bishops to think about a trial period for stand-alone services of blessing (News, 17 November 2023). Records of a gathering of the House in December indicate that the problem was discussed, but “no decisions were made.”
Currently, the one blessings for same-sex couples that are formally permitted are those who happen inside the confines of an existing service (News, 15 December 2023).
