2 days ago
Church of England faces civil war over same-sex blessings
Church of England parishes are facing civil war over same-sex blessings, it has been claimed.
The blessings, for same-sex couples who have already entered a civil marriage or partnership, have been given by vicars since a vote two years ago.
But not everyone has to perform them and it has become a point of contention between liberal and conservative clergy.
It has now emerged that junior priests are being 'overruled or marginalised' in their parishes by vicars who are against the blessings.
One priest complained that in some cases, vicars are promising at their interviews to offer same-sex blessings but once in post have gone back on their word. They claimed juniors are being 'treated horrifically, called names and put down'.
It is up to the discretion of each individual vicar as to whether or not they wish to offer the blessings, known as Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF), in their church, according to Church guidelines.
The Rev Chantal Noppen, of the diocese of Durham, said in a written question to General Synod, the Church of England's legislative body which is convening in York: 'Clergy who in conscience cannot offer the PLF are assured that they will not be required to do so.
'What corresponding protections or support are in place for Parochial Church Councils [PCCs], lay leaders or clergy colleagues who do wish to offer PLF but find themselves overruled or marginalised – particularly following the appointment of new incumbents whose views differ from the inclusive ethos the parish has long upheld?'
The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, said that if a new vicar's is against offering the blessings, this should be agreed beforehand so that there 'would be no surprise' when they are banned.
He said: 'The current guidance indicates that use of the PLF is always at the discretion of the minister.
'Good practice is to make this decision in consultation with the PCC and to work within the tradition and sensitivities of their local context.
'The guidance suggests that if a parish has strong views on whether the prayers should or should not be offered, this should be agreed in advance of the appointment…so that there would be no surprise when a new incumbent takes up their post.'
Responding to the Archbishop's comments, the Rev Chantal, who works as the national co-ordinator of Inclusive Church, a pro-LGBT rights group within the Church, said: 'I asked the question because I know it has been happening. And this has not been named or acknowledged openly so I wanted to flag it up.'
She said that since asking the question 'I have had more people coming up and telling me that it happened to them, or in their church too'.
The priest added that there are 'incredible layers of protection for those who want to remain affirming', adding that 'there has never been a question that any priest will be forced to do something they don't feel they can'.
But she accused priests who are against the blessings of blocking those who want to be 'welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community'.
She said: 'I've heard of clergy being appointed who have promised at interview to honour the churches theology and praxis, but then once in post they've gone back on that. And very few PCCs are able, or feel able, to push back in those situations.'
She added that the views of vicars who do not believe in same-sex blessings are not 'more important or valid', and that 'the morals, integrity and call of priests in other lines of work and fulfilling their vocation in a different way, are not lesser'.
'We have to put up with being treated horrifically, called names and put down,' she said.
Left post with 'heavy heart'
The historic vote in 2023 was criticised by progressives who claimed it did not go far enough towards full equality because same-sex marriages are still prohibited. Conservatives were also against it, arguing marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
In June, the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Martyn Snow, announced that he would step down as the lead bishop for the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, which is designed to support the Church of England's guidance on sexuality.
He said he left the post 'with a very heavy heart' and that he no longer believed that agreement could be reached under his leadership. Church officials have since announced that they will not replace him and no longer have a bishop leading the LLF process.
Bishop Snow's departure has plunged the Church into further chaos over the issue and comes at a pivotal moment, as the House of Bishops works towards presenting final proposals regarding the institution's stance on sexuality to the General Synod in 2026.
The Archbishop of York referenced the ongoing struggles regarding LLF at the top levels of the Church in his opening address to Synod on Friday where he said: 'Although we seem no nearer a settlement that can hold us together, how many other organisations would go this far with such disagreement?'
