Archbishop Mullally’s address signaled leadership focused on stability and consensual leadership, while LLF’s end ensured more years of culture war over sexuality.
The Church of England’s House of Bishops has taken blessings for same-sex couples as far as possible without a stronger supporting majority in the church’s General Synod.
Some clerics say their church remains homophobic and others vow to defy the bishops, with the eight-year LLF process stopped dead by new legal and theological guidance.
Stand-alone services for the blessing of same-sex unions and permission for clergy to enter civil same-sex marriages will now require action by General Synod, which will likely take years.
Sarah Mullally is not well-known; responses to her selection have focused on her sex, her progressive opinions on sexuality, and her kind and reconciling temperament.
The Church of England’s bishops pushed back key decisions on same-sex liturgies and clergy discipline for nearly a year. Dense theological papers show work is being done.
It’s not known if Welby consulted with any Anglicans outside the Church of England in making his decision to step down. The Church of England effectively fired Anglicans’ spiritual head, and couldn’t be bothered to check in about it.
The Church of England’s General Synod has narrowly backed standalone services for blessing same-sex unions alongside a provision for conservative parishes to register for delegated episcopal oversight.
