The LGBTQIA+ Chaplaincy of the Diocese of Salisbury offer their solidarity and support to the LGBTQIA+ community, their family and friends, following the House of Bishops update on the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process.
LLF is a many year long process working to include LGBTQIA+ people more completely into the life of the church. For example, LLF has been discussing how to mark and celebrate same-sex relationships in church, and whether to dispense with the current requirement that priestly loving, long term, same-sex relationships must be celibate.
The bishops’ update, issued on October 15, looked at how these hoped-for changes should be taken through General Synod (the Church of England “Parliament”). It has become clear that the votes needed to make the changes may not be achievable, and that the affirmation, inclusion and equal rights that many LGBTQIA+ Christians longed for may now be difficult or impossible to achieve.
While recognising that there are a range of views on this matter within the Church of England, the LGBTQIA+ chaplaincy is aware of the distress this has caused many LGBTQIA+ ordained and lay people, and their families and friends. Some have described this news as “the death of LLF” and “akin to a bereavement” see here.
The chaplaincy would ask all congregations to remember the hurt felt by LGBTQIA+ people in their churches and communities at this time, and to reflect on what support, encouragement and pastoral care may be needed.
The Diocese of Salisbury LGBTQIA+ Chaplaincy team affirm the belief that LGBTQIA+ people are beloved, held, and rejoiced over by the God who loved each and every one of us into being. The chaplaincy, which itself is made up of LGBTQIA+ Christians and allies, commits to listening to and amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices, and to supporting the community within the church. More information is available on the LGBTQIA+ Chaplaincy section of the Diocesan website: https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/workingforjustice/lgbtqia-chaplaincy/