Church of England Increasingly Divided over Same-Sex Marriage
- Updated Jul 20, 2016
A group of conservative Anglicans have a “lack of confidence” in the Church of England’s discussions on gay marriage.
A statement from 32 members of the Church’s governing synod was published on the conservative blog “Anglican Mainstream.”
"Whatever their stated purposes, the outcome has not led to a greater confidence that the Church will be guided by the authoritative voice of the Scriptures, and its decisive shaping of traditional Anglican teaching, in any forthcoming discussions,” the statement said.
Clive Scowen, one of the signatories who attended the discussions, said the statement was intended to show that there is some dissent.
“Although the experience of participating was generally positive...I do not feel that overall things were moved forward much, if at all," he said.
"If there was a consensus about anything arising out of the conversations it is that we want to be a church which welcomes all people, irrespective of the sexual attractions which they experience, because we know they are loved and treasured by God, and invites them to experience the transforming love and grace of Jesus for themselves,” he added.
The Church’s senior clergy in the House of Bishops is scheduled to meet in November and will make a recommendation then.
Publication date: July 20, 2016
