Context
A proposal to enable churches to opt in to the use of prayers of love and faith in stand-alone services is out for consultation, with a return to the House of Bishops scheduled for October.
Question
What steps the Church is taking to roll out stand-alone services to bless same-sex couples. Does my hon. Friend agree that the next Archbishop of Canterbury should be someone who can show leadership on this issue, both for congregants and clergy who would want to participate in such a service, and ensure that the Church of England finally treats LGBT Anglicans in Exeter and beyond equally within the church?
Answer from Marsha De Cordova (Second Church Estates Commissioner)
A proposal to enable churches to opt in to the use of prayers of love and faith in stand-alone services is out for consultation, with a return to the House of Bishops scheduled for October. The process is well under way for selecting the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and it is important that they are held in prayer as they go about this work. If the House of Bishops approves the proposals to enable prayers of love and faith in stand-alone services, the business committee of the General Synod could timetable this issue for a debate in February 2026.
Not addressed: Refused to comment on who should be the next Archbishop and suggested that it is not appropriate to do so at this time.
How: I Cannot Comment On Who The Next Archbishop Should Be.
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