Calls for Archbishop of Canterbury to resign over gay sex comments

There have been calls from evangelicals for the Archbishop of Canterbury to step down after he spoke in support of gay sex. 

Archbishop Justin Welby told former Labour spokesman Alistair Campbell, in his podcast The Rest is Politics, that his views on sexuality had evolved and that he now believes “that every one sexual intercourse ought to be inside a committed relationship and whether it’s straight or gay”.

“In other words, we’re not giving up on the concept sex is inside marriage or civil partnership. We’ve recommend a proposal that where people have been through a civil partnership or a same-sex marriage, equal marriage under the 2014 Act, they need to give you the option to come back along to their local, to a church, and have a service of prayer and blessing for them of their lives together. So we accept that. Now, I feel it is a good distance from church same-sex marriage,” he said.

In the interview, Archbishop Welby also stated that Anglicans who hold to the standard view of marriage and sexuality have a “full and undoubted place within the Church of England”.

The Archbishop’s change of stance contradicts the Church of England’s official doctrine that sex belongs inside heterosexual marriage, and the comments have prompted some evangelicals to call for his resignation. 

Welby has stood by his views despite the backlash. A press release issued by Lambeth Palace after the interview said, “Archbishop Justin was giving a private view that reflects the position now held by himself, the Archbishop of York and lots of other bishops regarding sexual intimacy.

“He has been honest that his pondering has evolved over time through much prayer and theological reflection – particularly through the Living in Love and Faith process – and he now holds this view sincerely. It reflects his commitment to continuing to welcome, love and include LGBTQ+ people more fully within the lifetime of the Church.”

Calling for Welby’s resignation, Christian Concern’s Tim Dieppe said that the Archbishop’s views show a “blatant disregard” for Church of England doctrine, and called his commitment to traditionalist Anglicans “condescending”. 

“Welby’s logic is definitely completely backwards. It is those with ‘a conventional view’ who belong most firmly inside the CofE. They are upholding the doctrine because it has been received and understood,” he said.

“Those bishops who depart from the clear unambiguous teaching of the CofE should resign. It is that they who shouldn’t have a spot within the Church of England, nevertheless sincerely held their beliefs could also be. A sincere atheist can hardly be a bishop. The sincerity of the disbelief in CofE doctrine does nothing to justify remaining as a bishop.”

He continued, “Sincerely held belief in sexual immorality is sincere heresy. Welby, [Archbishop of York Stephen] Cotrell and other bishops who endorse sexual immorality are nothing lower than heretics. If that they had any integrity they’d resign. But wolves in sheep’s clothing don’t resign, they should be expelled.”

Evangelicals Now magazine has also called for Welby’s resignation in an editorial saying that his position has turn out to be “untenable”. 

“What a very lamentable and sorry state of affairs. And it’s grievous and heart-breaking to say that much of it’s the direct responsibility of Justin Welby. He should resign,” it said. 

Rev Matthew Roberts, former Moderator of Synod of the International Presbyterian Church and co-author of the Greater Love declaration, commented: “The Archbishop of Canterbury, having stated that he denies the doctrine of the Church of England, has an obligation to resign.”

Other evangelicals have reacted with shock and sadness. The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) called the Archbishop’s views “staggering”. 

“It is a devastating statement since it marks a transparent departure from the doctrine of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and each other major Christian denomination internationally imagine,” it said. 

Bishop Andy Lines, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Network in Europe, said of the Archbishop’s comments, “It can be a mistake to view this as merely the failing of 1 individual, although sadly it’s that. Along with much of the decaying institution, he has clearly lost confidence within the life-giving words of Jesus to which nearly all of the Anglican world hold. That’s why the Anglican Network in Europe is glad to be a part of the worldwide fellowship of Gafcon reasonably than the Church of England.”