Bishop Says More C of E Senior Clergy May Need to Resign over Abuse Scandal

THE GUARDIAN: Julie Conalty, bishop of Birkenhead, welcomes resignation of Justin Welby but says institutional changes needed

A bishop and a cabinet minister have said more senior clergy in the Church of England may need to resign after a damning report into a sadistic abuser.

Julie Conalty, the bishop of Birkenhead and deputy lead bishop for safeguarding, said Justin Welby had “done the right thing” on Tuesday by resigning as archbishop of Canterbury.

Conalty told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Just the archbishop of Canterbury resigning is not going to solve the problem. This is about institutional changes, our culture and a systemic failure so there must be more that we need to do. Very possibly some of the people should go.” » | Harriet Sherwood | Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Justin Welby Accused of ‘Relegating’ Plight of Palestinian Christians

THE GUARDIAN: Anglicans in West Bank say they are ‘utterly perplexed’ by archbishop of Canterbury’s statements on Israel-Hamas war

The Archbishop of Canterbury spent four days in Jerusalem over the weekend to ‘show solidarity … with the Christian community in the Holy Land’. Photograph: Doug Peters/PA
Palestinian Christians have accused Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, of “relegating” their plight behind “British domestic political and ecumenical considerations” in his comments on the Israel-Hamas war.

An open letter from Anglican parishioners in the West Bank says they are “utterly perplexed” by Welby’s public statements.

Welby spent four days in Jerusalem over the weekend to “show solidarity … with the Christian community in the Holy Land”, according to his website.

In a statement issued shortly before he left the UK, Welby appealed for the hostages being held by Hamas to be released and for humanitarian access to Gaza to be allowed.

“The evil and heinous terror attacks by Hamas on people in Israel were crimes against God and humanity. Israel has a legitimate right and duty to defend itself, and to pursue a proportionate and discriminate response to establish its security,” he said. » | Harriet Sherwood | Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Church of England Bishops Refuse to Back Gay Marriage

THE GUARDIAN: Bishops resist change that would allow clergy to marry same-sex couples but propose civil marriages can be blessed in church

The Church of England has rejected demands to allow clergy to conduct same-sex marriages but is proposing that couples who married in a civil ceremony may have their union blessed in church.

The C of E released “historic plans” on Wednesday outlining a proposed way forward after decades of bitter and anguished division over sexuality. The proposal, endorsed by bishops this week, will be put to the C of E’s governing body, the General Synod, next month. » | Harriet Sherwood | Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Sandi Toksvig Says ‘Lives at Stake’ after Anti-gay Anglican Church Declaration

THE GUARDIAN: Broadcaster appeals to archbishop of Canterbury to reverse decision, saying: ‘Let me talk you round’

‘It was a sin in 1998 and you just wanted to make clear in 2022 that no one in your finely frocked gang has moved on from that,’ wrote Toksvig (centre). Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA
The lives of LGBTQ+ people are at stake, the broadcaster and author Sandi Toksvig has said, after the archbishop of Canterbury affirmed the validity of a 1998 resolution that gay sex is a sin.

In a letter to more than 650 bishops attending the once-a-decade Lambeth conference on Tuesday, Justin Welby, who is also leader of the Anglican church, said the resolution, known as Lambeth 1.10, was “not in doubt”.

“It was a sin in 1998 and you just wanted to make clear in 2022 that no one in your finely frocked gang has moved on from that,” wrote Toksvig in her letter published on Twitter on Wednesday evening. “Seriously, with the state the world is in, that is what you wanted to focus on?”

Responding to the latest knot the Church of England has tied itself into, Toksvig laid bare the facts, including that suicide is contemplated by young LGBTQ+ people at higher rates than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. She said she had faced death threats herself, and questioned the Church of England’s interpretation of Jesus’s views on homosexuality.

“The lives of LGBTQ+ people are at stake here,” Toksvig wrote. “Jesus doesn’t mention sexuality at all. It clearly wasn’t a big deal for him.” » | Geneva Abdul | Thursday, August 4, 2022

Related article.

Anglican Church Still Tying Itself in Knots over Same-sex Marriage

THE GUARDIAN: Analysis: leader Justin Welby has sought to hold together polarised wings of church over last decade

It goes back to the Book of Leviticus and its declaration that a man lying with another man is “an abomination”. Fast forward 3,500 years and the reverberations are still being felt within the global Anglican church.

The issue of same-sex relationships, and more recently same-sex marriage, has caused bitter divisions among Christians. Conservatives argue for faithful adherence to the teachings of the Bible, saying there can be no questioning of its words.

Liberals and campaigners for LGBT+ equality say that such a rigid approach to biblical teaching should also mean adulterers being put to death and a ban on wearing wool and linen at the same time. The constant reference to Leviticus 18:22 is demeaning and hurtful to LGBT+ people, they say.

The Anglican Communion, the umbrella organisation of the 65 provinces of the global Anglican church, has been in combat over sexuality for at least four decades. To complicate matters, the divisions fall broadly along the lines of the global north and the global south. » | Harriet Sherwood | Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Divisions in Anglican church on show as Lambeth conference opens: Gathering likely to descend into acrimony over polarised views on same-sex relationships »

Powerful Anglican bishops call on ‘homosexual practices’ to be rejected because gay sex is a sin: A influential group of Anglican bishops are calling for “homosexual practice” to be “rejected” at the Lambeth Conference, insisting that “God’s power” will help gay people with the “ordering of relationships”. »

Justin Welby ‘Affirms Validity’ of 1998 Declaration That Gay Sex Is a Sin

THE GUARDIAN: Archbishop indicates he won’t seek to punish churches allowing same-sex marriage, in balancing move at Lambeth conference

In a letter to more than 650 bishops attending the conference, Welby said the 1998 resolution was ‘not in doubt’. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Getty Images
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the global Anglican church, has sought to mollify conservative bishops by “affirming the validity” of a 1998 declaration that gay sex is a sin.

But, as a balancing gesture, he also indicated that he would not seek the authority to punish churches – including those in Scotland, Wales and the US – that allow same-sex marriage.

In a letter sent to more than 650 bishops attending the once-a-decade Lambeth conference just two hours before a potentially rancorous discussion on sexuality, Welby said the 1998 resolution, known as Lambeth 1.10, was “not in doubt”.

Campaigners for LGBTQ+ equality within the church responded to Welby’s attempt to reconcile polarised views with anger. Jayne Ozanne said: “I feel deeply angry and frustrated that yet again priority has been given to saving a manmade institution over protecting LGBTQ+ people’s lives.

“Let us be clear that Lambeth 1.10 encourages ‘conversion therapy’ and negates the God-given love between two individuals. It is a stick with which many of us have been beaten and will continue to suffer under around the world.”

Welby’s letter was issued as conservative church leaders from the global south called on bishops at the conference in Canterbury to reaffirm the 1998 declaration in defiance of a decision by organisers to drop voting in favour of “supportive applause”. » Harriet Sherwood | Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Goodbye, Anglicanism! Auf Nimmerwiedersehen! Adieu pour toujours ! Apropos of this nonsense, my next move could well be to atheism. Well done, Mr. Welby! By the way, you affirm that "gay sex" is a sin. What about gay love? 'Having sex' outside of marriage has always been a sin in Christianity, even in the heterosexual community. But it has to be said that only animals 'have sex'. Observe dogs copulating! That is 'having sex'. But civilised people shouldn't be 'havng sex' anyway; rather, they should be 'making love'! What does the Bible say about two men/two women 'making love'? – © Mark Alexander

Motion to Oppose Same-sex Marriage Forces Rethink of Anglican Summit

THE GUARDIAN: Division flares in run-up to first meeting of bishops from around world in 14 years

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, faces a global Anglican community that is deeply divided on homosexuality. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA
The archbishop of Canterbury has been forced into a last-minute rethink of plans to ask Anglican bishops to oppose same-sex marriage when they meet this week for the first Lambeth conference – held in Canterbury – in 14 years.

Liberal Anglicans and gay rights campaigners in the Church of England voiced outrage after the conference recently circulated a series of “calls” – similar to motions – for the 650 bishops and archbishops from around the world to consider.

They included one that calls for a reaffirmation of a position that “upholds marriage as between a man and a woman”, that “legitimising or blessing of same-sex unions” cannot be advised, and that “it is the mind of the Anglican communion as a whole that same-gender marriage is not permissible”.

The bishop of Los Angeles, the Right Rev John H Taylor, was among those aghast at the call, warning the conference was on course to register support for a position that “divides, hurts, scapegoats and denies”. » | Robert Booth, Social affairs correspondent | Monday, July 25, 2022

C of E Sex Guidance Row: Synod Member Calls Out 'Deep' Hypocrisy

THE GUARDIAN: Jayne Ozanne, an LGBT+ campaigner, condemns ‘leaders who preach one thing and practise something different’

The Church of England has “leaders who preach one thing and practise something completely different” when it comes to sex, according to a prominent member of the church’s ruling body.

In an explosive speech on Monday, Jayne Ozanne, a member of the General Synod and a leading campaigner for LGBT+ equality, called out “the deep levels of hypocrisy that exist among certain church leaders”.

Speaking to the William Temple Association in Bournemouth, she said: “We have leaders who are married and have affairs. We have leaders who make unwanted passes and comments to those they work with and whom they pastor.

“We have leaders who are gay but won’t admit it – who then have sex with someone of the same sex – and then chastise those who who work for them, who are in openly gay relationships, for doing the same.

“It is a despicable abuse of power by those who believe that their only sin is getting caught. So they get away with it because they can, because of the power they hold and exert over those in their charge. And many of us in the church know about it and feel powerless to stop it.” » | Harriet Sherwood, Religion correspondent | Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Sex Is for Married Heterosexual Couples Only, Says Church of England

THE GUARDIAN: Pastoral guidance also calls for Christians in gay or straight civil unions to be abstinent

The Church of England has stated that sex belongs only within heterosexual marriage, and that Christians in gay or straight civil partnerships should be sexually abstinent.

Bishops have issued pastoral guidance in response to the recent introduction to mixed-sex civil partnerships, which says: “For Christians, marriage – that is, the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.”

The church “seeks to uphold that standard” in its approach to civil partnerships, and “to affirm the value of committed, sexually abstinent friendships” within such partnerships.

It adds: “Sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God’s purpose for human beings.” » | Harriet Sherwood | Thursday, January 23, 2020

Good luck with that, bishops! So what these guys are saying is that fun is out for anyone who isn't straight and married. And this is God's will in the twenty-first century, you say? Conclusion: God doesn't do fun! – Mark

Church of England Makes Sunday Services Non-compulsory

THE GUARDIAN: Synod approves change to ease burden on rural priests, who may have up to 20 churches

The Church of England has dropped a centuries-old requirement for all churches to hold weekly Sunday services.

Its general synod, meeting in London this week, formally approved a change to canon law to relax the requirement for morning and evening prayer in every parish church every Sunday.

The change, which will also apply to services of Holy Communion, will mainly affect parishes with small and declining congregations in rural areas.

Most rural priests have multiple benefices, with some in charge of up to 20 churches, but were required to maintain regular services even if only a handful of worshippers turned up. » | Harriet Sherwood, Religion correspondent | Thursday, February 21, 2019

Anglican Church Avoids Split Over Gay Rights – But Liberals Pay Price

THE GUARDIAN: Agreement to impose sanctions against liberal US church and issue a statement in support of ‘traditional doctrine’ of marriage staves off irrevocable schism

A permanent split in the worldwide Anglican communion over gay rights has been averted after archbishops overwhelmingly agreed to impose sanctions against the liberal US church and issue a statement in support of the “traditional doctrine” that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

The punitive measures and conservative statement were agreed on the penultimate day of a week long summit in Canterbury, which was aimed at moving beyond deep divisions over homosexuality between liberals and conservatives in the church that counts 85m people as its members.

An agreement, published on Thursday evening, said that the US Episcopal church had made changes to its definition of marriage that represented “a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by the majority of our provinces on the doctrine of marriage”.

In a passage which is likely to dismay liberal Anglicans, the agreement added: “The traditional doctrine of the church in view of the teaching of scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union. The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching.” » | Harriet Sherwood, Religion correspondent | Thursday, January 14, 2016

History Overturned as Anglican Bishops Are Ordained as Catholic Priests
THE GUARDIAN: A packed Westminster Cathedral plays host to a momentous day for Christianity in Britain

The three former bishops, (from left) John Broadhurst, Keith Newton and Andrew Burnham, after the ceremony. Photograph: The Guardian
In its 100-plus years Westminster Cathedral, the mother church of English Catholicism, will have seen few stranger sights than Saturday's procession of three Anglican bishops' wives, in matching beige coats, one with an outsized brown hat, going up on to the high altar to embrace their husbands, all newly ordained as Catholic priests. Catholicism isn't that keen on women on the altar – to the pain of the demonstrators from the Catholic Women's Ordination movement protesting outside the cathedral's doors – and it doesn't usually countenance priests having wives.

But this was no ordinary ceremony. Almost everyone who spoke during it used the word "historic" to describe the ordination as Catholic priests of John Broadhurst, Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton, all formerly Anglican bishops.

It is the Vatican's negative attitude to women's ministry that formed the backdrop to the whole affair. The three recruits oppose the Church of England's plans to appoint female bishops and regard the Catholic priesthood as a safe, female-free haven.

There has been a steady stream of converts since the Church of England voted in favour of female priests in 1992. What made the two-hour service in Westminster Cathedral genuinely historic, however, was that these three men were not simply joining the ranks of Britain's six million Catholics, or even being granted a special dispensation from Rome's usual rules to allow them to become married Catholic priests. That, too, has been happening in small numbers since 1992.

No, this whole ceremony, complete with 80 Catholic priests on the altar, plus six bishops, was a grand launch for Pope Benedict's new ringfenced section within Catholicism for Anglican dissenters. There has never been anything of its kind before. Its name was unveiled – the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham – as well as the identity of its first leader, Father Newton. He will preside over a church within a church, where the normal rules of Catholicism don't apply. As well as a married priesthood, it can also use its own prayer books and rites, imported from Anglicanism. >>> Peter Stanford | Saturday, January 15, 2011

Extra-marital Sex and Homosexuality: The Archbishop of Wales Questions Sex Rules
“One of the glories of Anglicanism has been about being held together by our beliefs as contained in historic creeds and formulas but not by agreement to particular statements about that faith in each generation. That is the difference between belonging to a Communion rather than a confession.” - Dr Morgan
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE: The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, has warned that Anglicans had clamped down on homosexuality but not on heterosexual sex outside marriage.

Dr Barry Morgan said in his report on the global gathering of bishops for the summer’s Lambeth Conference that “most people who come to be married in Anglican churches in Britain live together beforehand,” and added: “The fundamental question in all of this is whether homosexuality is a matter of choice or not because that should make a difference to the way it is regarded.” Archbishop of Wales Questions Sex Rules >>> By Roberto Sanchez Guevara | September 21, 2008

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