MUCH-ANTICIPATED UPDATE

On Wednesday 15 October, a Living in Love and Faith (LLF) update was published following a meeting of the House of Bishops just a few days before. This had been much anticipated, since hearsay was suggesting that the House of Bishops was finding it increasingly difficult to carry LLF forward, given various theological and legal challenges. 

WHAT DID THE UPDATE TELL US?

From the update (and subsequent discussions with LLF leaders) two things have become apparent:

• First, the House of Bishops is unable to pursue standalone services and/or clergy same sex marriage without formal General Synod procedures. 
• Second, while the current LLF ‘brand’ might now be in the process of being closed down, the update does not signal an end to the LLF ’cause’ – but indicates further options available to revisionists (i.e. how a new synodical ‘pathway’ might be found).

WHAT’S OUR RESPONSE?

We are grateful that the House of Bishops has recognised that if any further progress is to be made it must follow ‘due process’:

• This is a welcome acknowledgement that there are substantial theological and legal obstacles to the introduction of standalone services and the exploration of clergy same-sex marriages.
• We are especially grateful to those bishops who pushed for this outcome and hope/pray that this commitment will be kept by all our bishops.

The LLF ‘brand’ might be consigned to history – but there is no indication that the ‘cause’ has died. Consideration is already being given in various quarters to what/how the ‘next steps’ might be and how they could be taken.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

While the bishops’ update did not address this question, what is highly unlikely is that the revisionists (those who seek standalone services and clergy same-sex marriage) will decide to give up their cause. Right now, many revisionists are understandably angry and pained at what they feel is a betrayal by the House of Bishops – a pain which might fuel their commitment to see change. 

So the LLF ‘brand’ might disappear, but the pressure to maintain the LLF cause is not going away – even if the next few weeks feel like a bit of a ‘lull’.

RELAX, FIGHT OF FLEE?

To those who believe the House of Bishops’ update suggests there is nothing more to worry about – please don’t underestimate the resolve of the revisionists to achieve their goals.

This is not over yet!

To those who might feel ‘it’s time to leave’, please stay, pray, and contend with us: 

• Let’s work for the best – a removal of the Prayers of Love and Faith which we have always believed to be unbiblical.
• If that is not possible – let’s advocate for a structural rearrangement which secures orthodoxy going forward.
• Now is not the time to leave.

Thank you for standing with us. More in due course.

Summary …at a glance

• The House of Bishops has decided that standalone services and clergy same sex marriage can only be pursued through formal synodical processes (a B2 process for standalone services and a Measure / amended Canons for clergy same sex marriage).  
• They continue to believe that the Prayers of Love and Faith, as commended in December 2023, can still be used at the discretion of clergy.  
• Currently, they do not believe that any ‘provisions’ are needed for those who in good conscience are not able to use the Prayers of Love and Faith.  
• They have not indicated what they will bring to General Synod in February 2026, and/or any other actions/initiatives that they might offer.  
• The only conclusion we can draw from the above (especially taking into account the response of revisionists to the bishops’ update) is … ‘it’s not over yet’.