Context
The question concerns the lack of consultation with the Church Commissioners regarding recent guidance by the Church on civil partnerships and the subsequent apology for causing division and hurt.
Question
Whether the Commissioners were consulted on recent guidance by the Church on civil partnerships; and if he will make a statement. Regardless of that, it was discourteous not to inform the Second Church Estates Commissioner as the legislation passed with all-party support in this House. It is bad enough the Church treats LGBT+ members as second-class Christians but saying civil partnerships should not exist because parents should not have had or be having sex is hurtful.
Answer from Andrew Selous (Second Church Estates Commissioner)
I will certainly feed back the right hon. Gentleman's strongly felt concern on this issue to the College of Bishops. In their apology, the archbishops did recognise that the pastoral statement had jeopardised the trust that has been built up as part of the Living in Love and Faith project, which is intended to discern the way forward for the Church of England on this issue.
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