Church of England bishops are taking more time to decide how the church should respond to same-sex relationships.
The House of Bishops were expected to approve its Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, which has been exploring standalone blessing services for same-sex couples and reviewing rules that stop clergy from entering same-sex marriages.
At a meeting at Lambeth Palace on Tuesday, bishops did not oppose the plans but agreed that more time was needed before the church could be updated.
A Church of England statement said: “Bishops recognised the deep hurt, particularly to LGBTQI+ people, as a result of those decisions.”
The Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, who chairs the LLF Programme Board, said: “Although we recognise that having not set out a final decision today may add to the frustration and distress many people are feeling, it is important we take proper care and time on this. That is needed.”
Bishops will meet again in January. Archbishop Stephen confirmed that bishops were on track to confirm proposals at the General Synod, the church's legislative body, in February.
Rev Chantal Noppen, the Inclusive Church Network national co-ordinator, told Premier Christian News last week that the church’s stalling on the issue has been “painful” for those urging greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in church life.6
The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), which has been critical of the LLF process, said the church's statement read “like an admission of 'Groundhog Day'.”
Rev Canon John Dunnett, CECC national director, said: “The tectonic divisions caused by LLF continue to rumble through the Church of England. General Synod, Diocesan Synods and parishes are experiencing it – sadly, it is now eroding the collegiality of the House of Bishops and their ability to lead.”
“It is hard to imagine that taking more time is going to enable the bishops to square a circle. Our hope and prayer is that the House will have the courage to attempt a different approach – to recognise the depth of division LLF has caused in the church, and either halt the project, or revisit CEEC’s proposals for the creation of differentiated ‘spaces’ within the church that will help secure orthodoxy for the future.”
The LLF process has been considering the church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.