Bishop quits Living in Love and Faith post after appointment of conservative theological adviser

The Bishop of Newcastle has resigned from her role within the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process following the appointment of a conservative vicar as interim theological adviser to the House of Bishops. 

LLF is the Church of England’s ongoing strategy of discernment around the problems of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, which last yr led to General Synod approving plans to introduce prayers of blessing for same-sex couples. 

Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, an advocate for LGBT equality within the Church of England, was co-lead of the LLF alongside the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, who’s to stay in post.

The Bishop of Newcastle said she was stepping down over concerns concerning the process that led to the appointment of Rev Dr Tom Woolford as interim theology adviser to the House of Bishops. 

“It has turn out to be clear to me within the last 48 hours that there are serious concerns referring to the recent strategy of appointing an Interim Theological Advisor to the House of Bishops. This was, and is just not, an LLF appointment, and neither Bishop Martyn nor myself were involved in it,” she said. 

“Whilst the remit of the theological advisor is broader than any matters referring to LLF, there is no such thing as a doubt that LLF stays front and centre within the lifetime of our Church presently.

“What has transpired within the last 48 hours has had a critically negative impact on the work Bishop Martyn and I were in search of, in good faith, to do. My role as co-lead bishop for the LLF process is now undermining my capability to fulfil my primary calling, to steer and look after the people and places of the Diocese of Newcastle.”

She continued, “‘I’m fully committed to the vocation and lifetime of the Church of England, its place in our diverse communities across this land, and in the broader Anglican Communion. Mindful of various views inside my very own diocese, I’m also fully committed to the total inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people. I don’t imagine these are mutually exclusive, and I’m not naïve in saying this.”

The Faith and Order Commission said that Dr Woolford, a vicar within the Diocese of Blackburn, had been appointed following “an open and competitive recruitment process”. 

He will take over temporarily from Dr Isabelle Hamley, who’s leaving at the tip of February to turn out to be principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge.

A everlasting successor is just not expected to be in post until September. 

The Church of England said that Bishop Snow “is in discussions with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York concerning the future shape of the leadership team”.

Following Hartley’s resignation, Bishop Snow said that the co-lead bishops for LLF “should be involved within the appointment of future theological advisers.

“I took on the role of co-lead bishop for the Living in Love and Faith process out of a way of calling to bridge-building and reconciliation – each for their very own sake and as a core a part of our Christian witness. Having reflected on my position over the past couple of days, this sense of calling stays,” he said. 

“However, I recognise that confidence and trust within the Living in Love and Faith process is low, and that I cannot by myself rebuild that trust or command the boldness of the total breadth of the Church of England.” 

He said that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York can have to appoint a successor “who commands similar respect across the House of Bishops and General Synod”.