The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Rachel Treweek said,
“I want to reiterate my shame and sadness regarding the way those who identify as LGBTQI+ have too often experienced hostility and judgement within the Church rather than being cherished as members of the body of Christ with names and stories.
“All the Bishops of the Church of England will be issuing an apology later this week to LGBTQI+ people for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have faced in churches and the impact this has had on their lives.
“I have longed for the Church of England to celebrate and bless faithful monogamous same-sex relationships, and I am thankful for the goodness and gifts such relationships continue to bring to the Church and wider society. Therefore, I am fully supportive of where we have reached at the end of the Living in Love and Faith process.”
As has been stated in the national press release today:
“The proposals which follow a six-year period of listening, learning and discernment will offer the fullest possible pastoral provision without changing the Church’s doctrine of Holy Matrimony for same-sex couples through a range of draft prayers, known as Prayers of Love and Faith, which could be used voluntarily in churches for couples who have marked a significant stage of their relationship such as a civil marriage or civil partnership.”
To read the full letter from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert please click here
Read more:
A message from Bishops Rachel and Robert on the LLF process →
Living in Love and Faith: online hub
National press release from the Church of England
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