The House of Bishops has agreed to spend more time finalising its proposals on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

At a meeting at Lambeth Palace in London today, bishops discussed a series of decisions taken in principle on the direction of LLF at their last meeting in October.

While those decisions were not contested, the bishops identified some areas where further clarification is needed and agreed to continue work on a letter to the Church summarising LLF and setting out an agreed position.

Bishops recognised the deep hurt, particularly to LGBTQI+ people, as a result of those decisions.

The House will meet again in January to finalise the text of the letter – which will take the form of a statement from the House.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who chairs the LLF Programme Board, said: “Although we recognise that having not set out a final decision today may add to the frustration and distress many people are feeling, it is important we take proper care and time on this. That is needed.

“We remain on course to bring proposals to Synod for consideration in February.”