The Church of England has confirmed that decisions on same-sex blessing services and whether clergy can enter same-sex marriages have been delayed, as the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process comes to an end after nine years.
In a letter to the wider Church, the House of Bishops said that any new bespoke services using the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) would require full formal authorisation under canon law, meaning they will not be introduced at this stage. Same-sex couples have been able to receive PLF prayers within regular services since a General Synod vote in February 2023.
The bishops also confirmed that permitting clergy to be in same-sex civil marriages would require a formal legislative process, and agreed that further theological and legal work is needed before any change can be considered. No timeline has been set, and the decisions will now fall to a future General Synod on 2028.
LLF, which began in 2017 to help the Church engage with questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, will formally conclude next month without delivering agreed outcomes on these contested issues.
The House ruled out, for now, proposals for Delegated Episcopal Ministry or placing some parishes under bishops with separate and independent jurisdiction in response to the Prayers of Love and Faith.
To carry the work forward, a new Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group will be established to prepare theological and legislative proposals. The group will explore the approval process for bespoke PLF services, examine what legislation would be required to allow clergy to enter same-sex marriages, and consider what pastoral and episcopal provision might be needed if further changes are proposed. It is expected to report back to the newly elected General Synod within its first two years.
A Pastoral Consultative Group will also be set up to advise bishops and archdeacons on individual cases during the interim period and support consistency across the Church.
In their letter, the bishops acknowledged and expressed regret for the “deep hurt” caused by the LLF process, particularly among LGBTQI+ people. While expressing hope that LLF would leave a legacy of greater inclusion and theological understanding, they warned against raising expectations that could not yet be met.
Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York said: “Living in Love and Faith was never meant to be a contest with winners and losers yet, because it touches upon such profound theological convictions and personal lived experience, many have felt it to be this way and many have been hurt and confused.
“As we take stock of where we have got to so far and all the things that still need to be explored in the future, my prayer is that we can come together as those whose profound disagreement on some things is outweighed by our profound love for God and for each other on so many things.
“As this stage of the journey comes to an end, we look forward, honouring one another’s integrity, and seeking Christ’s wisdom with patience and humility.”
Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester apologised for the “pain” and “anger the process has caused many.
“I know too that we are not now where many would want us to be – but I think the place we’re in now is a place of commitment to due and proper process: and that really matters,” he added.
“We are – and we need to be – a properly ordered Church.”
The statement was approved by an overwhelming majority of the House of Bishops, with 35 voting in favour, one against and four abstentions.
