The Archbishop of York has stated he is “deeply pained” over continuing disagreements on human sexuality, while expressing praise at how the Church of England has been “growing younger” and is becoming a “church of missionary disciples”.
Most Rev Stephen Cottrell also used his Presidential Address opening General Synod to say “the work of justice, repentance, repair remains unfinished” in how the Church becomes more diverse, referencing its Racial Justice Commission and transatlantic slavery reparation proposals in Project Spire.
His wide-ranging speech in York on Friday touched on safeguarding, disability inclusion, and the central role of parish ministry.
Archbishop Stephen said discussions around human sexuality had been “without doubt the most contested matter” in the past five years, noting how members “don’t agree on exactly how our welcome to LGBTQI+ siblings should be expressed, nor how clergy in same-sex marriages can minister in our church”, after the Living in Love and Faith process was paused.
“You have heard me say this many times, and I don’t apologise for saying it one more time - I am deeply pained by this. But I know so many of you are as well, whatever position you hold on these issues.
“To my LGBTQI+ friends and my conservative friends in this Synod and across the Church and in all the communities we serve, I say again that I want to be part of a Church which holds you, and a church which holds me, and a church where we all can flourish.
“And as long as seeking to be a more diverse Church remains our aim, and with our new working groups beginning, let us do all that we can to find ways forward, and to do it graciously in the ways that I think we have started to learn through some of the difficult debates of the last few years, seeing and cherishing the face of Christ in each other”, he added.
Sexuality had become a contested topic before the Synod opened, over plans for a fringe event on the government’s proposed conversion therapy ban.
On diversity, Archbishop Stephen said he was inspired by the work of the Church's Racial Justice Commission. But he added that “honest reflection requires us to acknowledge that our response has not always been equal to our aspiration, and that the work of justice, repentance, repair remains unfinished. We are not yet a Church where our deep abiding in Christ means that our unity in Christ really is ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’”
Speaking about the aim for a younger and more diverse community, Archbishop Stephen said this is “not a different gospel. Not a different Church. But the ever-expanding ways of expressing in the ever-changing cultures and languages of the world, the never changing gospel of Jesus Christ.”