Over one hundred men and women training for ordination in the Church of England have written a public letter warning the church was set to “fracture” should the House of Bishops’ Living in Love and Faith (LLF) proposals on same-sex blessings be adopted.
Gay blessings would “indicate a departure from the historic teaching of the Christian faith” the letter to the House of Bishops said, adding “We anticipate fracturing across the Church of England if [the LLF recommendations] they implemented. We fear harm to the church’s gospel witness if they proceed.”
Seventy-eight ordinands endorsed the letter that was mailed to each bishop before their meeting last week. On 9 Oct 2023 the bishops released a statement saying they had “agreed in principle that prayers asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples – known as Prayers of Love and Faith – should be commended for use.”
Two ordinands, Anna Mayo and Matt Porter, signed the letter on behalf of the others to protect their peers from retribution. Since it was made public almost fifty more signatures have been added, Mr. Porter noted. The group, known as “Orthodox Ordinands”, formed after the February meeting of the General Synod when the Prayers of Love and Faith were first debated as a place where ordinands, postulants and deacon/curates could share their concerns about the direction the church was taking.
