Synod’s decision on ‘gay blessings’
Gafcon IoW supports the Anglican Orthodox view.
On 15th November 2023, at General Synod, a small majority of the laity and clergy together with erring bishops voted to press on with changes which will introduce blessings for same-sex couples, sooner rather than later, and to issue guidance for gay Church of England ministers of religion to marry their same-sex partners.
Official Votes as recorded:
Bishops: 23 for, 10 against, 4 abstained
(62%, 27%, 11%).
Clergy: 100 for, 93 against, 1 abstained
(51%, 48%, 1%)
Laity: 104 for, 100 against, 0 abstained
(50.9%, 49.1%)Total General Synod Members For: 227 = 52.18%
Total General Synod Against: 203 = 46.66%
Total Abstaining: 5 = 1.16%
Total Synod Members Voting: 435 = 100.00%
Sadly, this small Synod majority failed to provide adequate support or pastoral concern for those who hold the majority Anglican view, the orthodox Biblical view on marriage and sexual practice.
Christian Concern’s Benjamin John delivered a truthful, convicting speech at the Synod on God’s glorious pattern for marriage, and the Church of England’s rebellious undermining of the authoritative word of God. He also appealed to the testimonies of X-Out-Loud members as to the transforming work of God in their lives.
At Synod Christian Legal Centre’s Rebecca Bensted raised vital points about the lack of basic transparency and legal process in proposing to commend prayers for same-sex couples. Legal advice on the legality of proposed blessings was not shared with the houses of clergy and laity. Bishops must share legal advice that has been given on this matter.
The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) released a response on 17 November stating that the House of Bishop’s action would “cause deep division in PCCs and parishes, deaneries and dioceses the length and breadth of the country, in the same way that the Bishops and General Synod are divided.”
The CEEC is “saddened that the House of Bishops appears to have acted regardless of legal and theological advice – and in such a way that has dramatically undermined the confidence that worshippers have in the leadership of the majority of our bishops.”
Anglican Futures, suggest that many are asking whether they will look back in years to come and see 15th November 2023 as ‘the day the Church of England ‘died’, in the fatal car crash of the Prayers of Love and Faith.’ Loosely quoting Don McClean’s American Pie AF continues, ‘“while the king was looking down” Synod “stole his thorny crown” by rendering it needless. Needless because the Bishops of the Church of England (with honourable exceptions) believe that they can transform something from being sinful to a blessing without the necessity of the propitiation, expiation and sanctification of the King of the Jews.”’
