Church of England Halts LGBTQ+ Equality Work, Sparks Pain and Anger
The hopes of progressive Christians within the Church of England were dealt a severe blow on Thursday as the church's ruling body agreed to halt all work on LGBTQ+ equality. This decision came after years of bitter and divisive debate, with the General Synod meeting in London backing a document from bishops that concluded consensus between conservative and liberal factions could not be reached.
Synod Vote Puts Issue in Deep Freeze
Synod members voted 252 to 132, with 21 abstentions, to support a proposal by bishops to halt the process known as Living in Love and Faith (LLF). The bishops' motion acknowledged the "distress and pain many have suffered during the LLF process, especially LGBTQI+ people." This decision effectively ends three years of work that aimed to allow clergy to conduct special services blessing same-sex couples in civil marriages.
The prohibition on clergy being married in civil ceremonies to same-sex partners will remain in place. The issue will now be put on hold until a new synod is established, with both liberal and conservative factions expected to campaign vigorously in upcoming elections to break the deadlock in their favor.
Emotional Reactions from Synod Members
During a five-hour debate, numerous synod members expressed their pain, anger, and feelings of betrayal at the church's failure to progress on LGBTQ+ equality. Charlie Bączyk-Bell, a London priest who has campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights, stated his heart was broken, asking fellow members: "How dare you and how dare we come again to lament and recognise distress and pain while we continue to inflict it? What kind of church is this?"
Claire Robson, a priest from Newcastle, highlighted the personal impact, noting she may never be able to marry her same-sex partner due to her age. "The changes we long for will be too late for many of us," she said, adding that while the LLF process cost £1.6 million, "the cost to my life and ministry is incalculable."
Leadership Responses and Deep Divisions
Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, acknowledged that LLF had "left us wounded as individuals and a church" but described the bishops' proposals as a "sensible way forward." Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who proposed the motion, expressed disappointment, stating: "This is not where I want us to be and not where we hoped we would be three years ago."
Cottrell admitted that bishops and the synod were "more deeply divided than I think we knew - or admitted," and that they had been unable to find ways forward that honor the consciences of those with differing theological convictions.
New Working Group and Historical Context
The motion calls for establishing a new working group on "relationships, sexuality and gender" for continuing work. However, Vicky Brett, a lay member of the synod, criticized this approach, suggesting it fits the definition of insanity: "do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result."
The issue of sexuality and same-sex marriage has brought the Anglican church close to schism in recent years. After more than a decade of debate, the synod concluded in early 2023 that it would not support same-sex weddings in church but would allow priests to bless gay couples within regular services.
This decision prompted church leaders in several developing countries, including South Sudan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to declare they no longer recognize Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, as head of the global church. In July 2024, the C of E evangelical council announced it would start a parallel province due to the decision to allow blessings for gay marriages, which it called "contrary to the teaching of the Bible."
Defiance and Departures
Some clergy have defied church hierarchy by offering stand-alone blessing services to same-sex couples, seen by some as de facto church weddings despite lacking legal standing. Campaigners for equality report anecdotal evidence suggesting LGBTQ+ Christians are leaving the Church of England, feeling unwelcome and marginalized by the institution's ongoing struggles with inclusion.
