Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Same-sex Relationships: General Synod Decisions

Thursday 9 March 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Church of England agreed to finalise the "Prayers of Love and Faith" at the General Synod.
  • Pastoral guidance for clergy regarding same-sex relationships is being produced.
  • The Church aims to embed a culture of welcome towards LGBTQI+ people throughout its institutions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Women & Equalities Religion & Faith
Context

The General Synod recently made decisions regarding same-sex relationships, and there is concern about the implementation process.

Question

What steps the Church of England is taking to implement the decisions of the General Synod on same-sex relationships; and if he will make a statement.

Answer from Andrew Selous

At the General Synod last month, it was agreed that the “Prayers of Love and Faith” would be finalised, that pastoral guidance for clergy would be produced, and that a culture of welcome towards LGBTQI+ people would be embedded throughout the Church.

Answered
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Q2 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Women & Equalities Religion & Faith
Context

There are concerns about the timing of implementation and financial support from parishes due to disagreement with recent decisions.

Question

I would be grateful for an assurance that there will not be any backsliding on the timescale on that, and that the pastoral guidance will deal finally with the issue of priests being able to marry and be freed from the current celibacy rules. On a wider issue, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that a number of provinces in the global Anglican communion have in effect made a unilateral declaration of independence from the Church of England. A small number of parishes here have begun to withhold their money from their dioceses in protest at these very small steps forward. Is it not increasingly clear that a small minority in the Church of England will never be reconciled with treating lesbian and gay people equally, and it would be better to let those people go, so that the Church can focus on the majority of Anglicans in this country who support treating lesbian and gay people equally?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The pastoral guidance is being worked on, and the bishops remain committed to implementing their response to Living in Love and Faith, which the General Synod approved last month. The timing may depend on the July Synod's response to the pastoral guidance and “Prayers of Love and Faith”. The Synod is a democratic body and, like this Parliament, its decisions cannot be guaranteed in advance. On the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, he is correct that our proposals do not go far enough for some and go too far for others. There have always been disagreements in the Anglican communion, as there have been in the Church of England, and we need to learn to disagree well.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timing and content details about pastoral guidance were not fully addressed

How: The Synod Is A Democratic Body And Its Decisions Cannot Be Guaranteed In Advance

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