Survey shows extent of liberal views among C of E clergy
More than two thirds of Church of England clergy are supportive of a ban on so-called conversion therapy, a disputed new survey has claimed.
Of the 1,185 respondents to The Times’ survey, 67.8% backed a ban with 17.7% against. The findings, which account for only 6% of the church’s active clergy, also reflect a rejection of biblical sexual ethics.
Over half of respondents (53.4%) claimed the C of E should allow same-sex weddings, while 63.3% said ordained ministers should be able to enter same-sex civil marriages.
But speaking to Times Radio, Revd Dr Ian Paul challenged the reliability of the conclusions….
Other commentators are less sanguine than Dr Paul, saying that the rapid liberalisation of the clergy and bishops in the C of E is undeniable:
“Church of England clergy who have “lost confidence” in the Bible and biblical ethics should resign or be removed, the head of Christian Concern has said.” [See article in Christian Today].
A comment in the Telegraph Newspaper: It’s ironic that, as a secular society, we’ve thrown ourselves into the cult of self, precisely because we’re flailing, with no basic spiritual scaffold to keep us steady. The idea of being handed out nourishment in the form of the “blood and body of Christ” is ridiculed, but we’ll guzzle down our green juices and “superfoods” in the hope they’ll give us what our empty souls are lacking – and ensure an eternal, if spiritually devoid, life. Celia Walden, Telegraph
Pray for all Gafcon-aligned churches in our region, that we would preach the biblical gospel with confidence, and be encouraged as we see people of all ages and backgrounds turn to Jesus.
