Martyn Snow steps down as LLF lead bishop

The Lead Bishop for the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process (LLF) has announced he’s stepping down.

The LLF process has been underway within the Church of England for years, attempting to forge a way forward within the face of deep divisions over marriage, sexuality and gender identity. 

Bishop Martyn Snow has led this process for the last 18 months. In an announcement published on his social media, he admitted that the choice to face down had not been a straightforward one.

“With a really heavy heart, I actually have decided to step down from my role as Lead Bishop for Living in Love and Faith,” he said.

“I’m hugely grateful to the staff team that I actually have worked with over the past 18 months and similarly the Working Group members who’ve given hours of their time to hunt an agreed way forward within the Church of England on matters of sexuality, relationships, and marriage.

“I hope it might yet be possible to achieve such an agreement, but I don’t think that may occur under my leadership. I won’t be making any further comments.” 

Responses to his decision have been sympathetic while also expressing frustration in regards to the LLF process, with some suggesting it’s “doomed”. 

ReSource director and former BBC correspondent Christopher Landau said that LLF has been “disastrous” and are available at “massive personal cost for a lot of individuals”.

Responding to Bishop Snow’s announcement, he said that “the broader church needs to listen to why he felt the role was untenable”.

The interim head of the Church of England, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, and the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, accepted Snow’s resignation in a joint statement wherein in addition they expressed their gratitude for his leadership over the past 12 months and a half. 

“Bishop Martyn Snow has made a useful contribution to the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process. His insightful and regarded stewardship over the past 18 months has helped guide the LLF process to a very important recent stage,” they said.

“Thanks to fruitful conversations in Working Groups and at General Synod, we’re currently consulting across the Dioceses, as we proceed working towards becoming a Church that serves all of God’s people.

“While we’re saddened by Bishop Martyn’s decision to step down from this role, we fully recognise the load of responsibility he has carried and the large commitment in time and energy to bring the method to a recent phase. We pray for him, as he moves on from this role.  

“The LLF Programme Board, chaired by the Archbishop of York, stays firmly committed to completing the diocesan consultations, before reporting to the House of Bishops after which General Synod in February next 12 months. Formed in 2024 the LLF Programme Board provides oversight for the LLF Programme. It includes several bishops and other members of the General Synod.”