Following this week’s meeting of the House of Bishops (referred to as HoB) and the issuing of a detailed statement ahead of the meeting of General Synod (referred to as GS) in February, I wanted to write something on behalf of myself and Bishop Robert to add something of our own perspective. We are acutely aware that the Bishops’ statement will provoke a range of thoughts and emotions, yet we do urge you to go beyond the media headlines and social media posts to carefully read the full text.
Sadly, words on a page do not convey tone, and we are deeply aware that so much of what has been communicated nationally in the past, and how it has been delivered, has added to the hurt and marginalisation experienced by so many LGBTQI people. Whilst so much is said about plans and processes, it is vital to recognise that this is actually about people’s lives and stories, and about love, hope and despair, and we do not want that to get lost.
In 2023 the House of Bishops issued a much-needed apology for the failure to welcome LGBTQI+ people into the Church. We are glad that this week’s statement again acknowledges the hurt and pain which continues to be felt by many LGBTQI+ people (highlighted in the statement: 7-12), yet we remain sensitive to the truth that apology and lament can still sound hollow to those who continue to feel marginalised because of where we have reached.
In our desire to be faithful to our calling as bishops we also acknowledge that we are human and broken. We continue to prayerfully discern what it means for us to be a focus of unity within the Body of Christ with relationship at the heart. Unity is not about uniformity but rather about how, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we live strong relationship with one another rooted in Jesus Christ, even in our differences; and my diocesan letter of 18 November 2025 sought to offer some reflections on the word ‘together’, not least in relation to Holy Communion.
Bishop Robert and I take seriously our calling to be shepherds of Christ’s flock, and to ‘gather God’s people and celebrate with them the sacraments of the new covenant’. Those words of the consecration service go on to proclaim the mysterious beauty of being ‘formed into a single communion of faith and love’ such that ‘the Church in each place and time is united with the Church in every place and time.’ As your bishops we want to reiterate our passionate commitment to a place at the table for everyone.
The Living in Love and Faith (LLF) and the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF):
Following the Pilling Report on human sexuality in 2013, the subsequent shared conversations, and then the General Synod vote in February 2017 to not ‘take note’ of the Bishops’ report, a process called ‘Living in Love and Faith’ (LLF) was initiated. A suite of resources was published to engage people across the Church of England in discussion and reflection, listening to scripture and tradition. We are grateful to those in this diocese who ran courses.
Following a period of discernment and listening, the HoB shared their response with Synod in February 2023, and this led to the next stage of implementation (The papers for February General Synod will detail the motions which have been carried since 2023 and outline the ways those have been progressed).
A suite of resources called the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) were produced and commended by the HoB for use within existing public worship, noting that until that point no published forms of prayer to use publicly with same-sex couples, existed.
From the start, the bishops have stressed that there is no obligation for people to opt in to using the Prayers of Love and Faith, and again Bishop Robert and I reiterate our commitment to a place at the table for all people and worshipping communities across the spectrum of different theological views.
In July 2024, General Synod asked the HoBs to address two issues: Firstly, the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) in bespoke services (often referred to as ’stand-alone’ services); and secondly the desire of many for clergy and ordinands to freely enter into same-sex marriages without the latter barring them from applying for any licensed role or from holding Permission to Officiate (PTO).
In addressing both these matters, the HoBs across a spectrum of theological views and conviction, have continued to reflect upon the work of the Church of England’s Legal Office and the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC) regarding the nature of doctrine, the doctrine of marriage, and same-sex marriage (statement:17 – 24). This has led to the HoB’s decision to explore the implementation of bespoke services by way of a full synodical Canon B2 process which requires a two thirds majority in all three Houses of the General Synod. Whilst for many it is hugely painful that another more immediate way cannot be found, the HoB has reached the decision prayerfully with high consensus across the expression of different theological views and an array of emotions and thoughts.
It is important to state that this is not a majority vote by the House of Bishops against bespoke services, but it IS a majority vote against introducing a convoluted code of practice accompanied by complex structural and pastoral provision (previously referred to as ‘Delegated Episcopal Ministry’), which clearly would have been necessary if the HoBs was to proceed to vote on a different route to sanction bespoke services (Statement: 26-32).
We know there will be those who are disappointed that the HoB has resisted ‘Delegated Episcopal Ministry’ – particularly those already opposed to the introduction of the Prayers of Love and Faith within existing services. However, as the HoBs discussed alternative proposals, many of us became increasingly clear that we cannot say ‘yes’ to something that might appear pragmatic but which would actually rip the fabric of who and what we are as a Church, and what it means to be the Body of Christ.
The C of E already lives with the 2014 settlement regarding Women in the Episcopate. I remain committed to the 5 Guiding Principles which enable us to remain in one Church, yet I also recognise that however strong, mutual and collegial the relationships are, the existence of extended episcopal oversight is still a painful wound in Christ’s Body, the Church.
The lack of permission for clergy to be in same-sex civil marriage (statement: 20-25): In the light of the legal and doctrinal information referred to above, the HoBs has reached a place of acknowledging that this would require a formal legislative process (e.g. an amending canon and measure). Again, Bishop Robert and I want to acknowledge that words about process can too easily seem to dismiss the deep impact on lives. We want to underline that the minimal wording bears no relation to the weight of the decision.
The February General Synod will now mark the end of the process known as Living in Love and Faith. We recognise this leaves so much unresolved and that many people are feeling bruised and distressed, and it is important to be clear that the journey will continue in different ways including the establishment of a Working Group (statement: 35 – 39).
As we walk the days ahead, Bishop Robert and I know that many views and emotions will be lived and expressed. Please join with us in praying for one another, the meeting of the General Synod and the wider Church as we continue to pray daily for God’s kingdom to come on earth as in heaven.
With my thanks and prayers for the ministry in which we share
Jesus prayed … ‘I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me’. (John 17:20)
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