Two of the most senior figures in the Church of England have revealed they believe sexual intimacy within same-sex relationships should be ‘celebrated’.
Following a bishops’ report that recommends against same-sex weddings being permitted in churches but in favour of allowing clergy to bless same-sex couples, the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London indicated their approval of churchgoers engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage.
In separate media statements, they both said “stable, faithful relationships” between two men or two women could be blessed – rejecting historic Christian teaching on sexual ethics.
‘Celebrated’
On BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell told presenter William Crawley that “LGBTIQ+ people, people entering into same-sex marriages, people in civil partnerships are able to come to the Church of England and those relationships and marriages can be acknowledged and celebrated. People can receive God’s blessing, and that’s a good thing.”
Church, on their terms
Crawley later asked: “Can we just clarify one point? Is it still church teaching that gay sex is a sin?”
The Archbishop replied: “physical and sexual intimacy belongs in committed, stable, faithful relationships and therefore where we see a committed, stable, faithful relationship between two people of the same sex, we are now in a position where those people can be welcomed fully into the life of the Church, on their terms.”
Clergy
Crawley pressed him on this, saying: “And given a blessing: you don’t bless sin, right? So you must be blessing something you believe to be good.”
Cottrell reiterated: “As I say, we believe that stable, faithful, committed, loving relationships are good. They are the place for physical intimacy”.
Asked what the new recommendations meant for clergy in same-sex relationships who until now have been required to remain celibate and unmarried, the Archbishop said nothing had yet been drawn up.
But he did confirm this would happen in the near future and that previous guidance would be rescinded, suggesting that clergy in same-sex relationships will soon be permitted to marry and engage in sexual acts.
Blessing unbiblical relationships
During a press conference following the announcement of the bishops’ report, Bishop of London Sarah Mullally was asked by a reporter if the move meant sexual intimacy within a same-sex marriage was now no longer regarded as sinful.
Mullally replied: “What we’re doing is proposing prayers for people as a stage of their relationship. And within that relationship, and we’re specifically saying it is a faithful, lifelong relationship between two people.
She added: “So there will be the opportunity for those people in a same-sex relationship to come and have that relationship blessed. And, of course, some of those will be sexual.”
Both Cottrell and Mullally have said they would be happy to perform blessings for same-sex marriages.
Also see:
CofE bishops endorse blessing same-sex relationships
CofE report highlights ‘diversity’ of views on same-sex marriage
Church of England urged to learn from mistakes from abroad on same-sex marriage
Assault on biblical doctrine of marriage in CofE led by ‘vocal minority’