Administrators and students at the University of Kent have criticized the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision not to invite same-sex spouses to the Lambeth Conference in 2020. Faculty say the decision “raises serious questions” and students have asked the university to reconsider its agreement to host the conference, as it has done since 1978. The university said it is … [Read more...] about U. of Kent Uneasy about Lambeth Policy
same-sex couples
‘Pastorally Unsustainable’
Anna Morrell reports for the Church in Wales that bishops will begin to “explore formal provision for same-sex couples in church”: Members of the Church’s Governing Body agreed with the bishops that the current situation of no formal provision was “pastorally unsustainable”. They voted with a clear majority in favour of the bishops looking at new approaches which could be … [Read more...] about ‘Pastorally Unsustainable’
Dissent and Protest in Toronto
Received via email October 5, 2016 The Most Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lambeth Palace, London SE1 7JU Your Grace, On September 17, 2016, the Diocese of Toronto voted on a slate of episcopal candidates that included a candidate in an active same-sex relationship. We write to protest the election itself and to dissent … [Read more...] about Dissent and Protest in Toronto
Unofficial Blessings in Wales
firemedic58/Flickr Anna Morrell writes for the Church in Wales: The Church should be a place where gay and lesbian people can be “honest and open, respected and affirmed,” say the bishops of the Church in Wales. They are issuing a joint pastoral letter in response to consultations and debates on same-sex marriage across the Church in Wales last year, as … [Read more...] about Unofficial Blessings in Wales
Same-sex Blessings in W. Texas
The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, Bishop of West Texas, has granted permission to three congregations to bless same-sex couples.Bishop Lillibridge writes about the decision in a letter to the diocese [PDF]:I am requiring that both members of the couple seeking a same-sex blessing through the ministry of the Church be in fact members of the Episcopal Church in good standing, and … [Read more...] about Same-sex Blessings in W. Texas
Divided Bishops
Ross Douthat writes about Pope Francis in The New York Times:In his public words and gestures, through the men he’s elevated and the debates he’s encouraged, this pope has repeatedly signaled a desire to rethink issues where Catholic teaching is in clear tension with Western social life — sex and marriage, divorce and homosexuality.And in the synod on the family, which … [Read more...] about Divided Bishops
Will Marriage Canon Stand?
The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer writes on the weblog of the Diocese of Central Florida:Many of you have read some of the reports coming out of this meeting: Bp Katherine Jefferts Schori will not seek reelection as Presiding Bishop. The report of the [Study of] Marriage Task Group to the House of Bishops keeps the marriage canon intact and does not change the Prayer Book service. … [Read more...] about Will Marriage Canon Stand?
A Cautious Step Leftward
“We warmly welcome and affirm the presence and ministry within the Church of gay and lesbian people, both lay and ordained,” declares the Pilling Report, a new Church of England document on same-sex relations published November 28.The report is by the church’s Working Group on Sexuality chaired by Sir Joseph Pilling, a retired civil servant, whose resumé includes leading the … [Read more...] about A Cautious Step Leftward