Along with the rest of the Church of England, Christians in the Diocese of Salisbury have spent many months listening to each other, praying and discussing issues relating to gender, marriage, sexuality and relationships as part of a conversation and process known as ‘Living in Love and Faith’. (LLF)
At its February 2023 meeting, the Church of England’s General Synod, voted in favour of proposals from the bishops which would enable same-sex couples who have marked a significant stage of their relationship such as a civil marriage or civil partnership to come to church to give thanks, offer prayers of dedication to God and to receive God’s blessing.
The Prayers of Love and Faith have been commended to be used from Sunday 17 December 203. The final texts of Prayers of Love and Faith are commended for use in regular public worship or private prayer have been published, along with pastoral guidance which outlines how they could be used.
The Prayers can be used in regular scheduled services, such as a Sunday Eucharist or Evensong.
It is up to individual Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) to decide if they will offer the prayers or not.
If you are a couple wishing to use the prayers at a church service in the diocese, contact the priest at your local church or the Bishop's office.
Read the Prayers of Love and Faith.
Read the Living in Love and Faith Pastoral Guidance.
October 2025 update on LLF from the House of Bishops
At its residential meeting, the House of Bishops reviewed detailed theological and legal advice on outstanding questions following the landmark 2023 Synod vote which led to the introduction of the Prayers of Love and Faith (or PLF).
The PLF are a set of prayers, readings and liturgical material which, for the first time, enable same-sex couples to come to church for public prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessing as part of a regular church service.
Since then, the Church has been exploring whether special ‘bespoke’ services using the PLF could be introduced and whether clergy could legally enter into same-sex marriages.
There has also been extensive consideration of possible new arrangements for how the Church is organised including so-called ‘Delegated Episcopal Ministry’.
The bishops reviewed advice both from the Church of England’s Legal Office and the Faith and Order Commission (all of which will be published in due course).
While final decisions will be made by the House in December, the bishops agreed in principle that both bespoke service and clergy same-sex marriage would need formal synodical and legislative processes to be completed before they could be permitted.
As a result, they also concluded there is currently no need for a new code of practice setting out special arrangements such as Delegated Episcopal Ministry.
Although there remains a wide range of views within the House on questions of sexuality and relationships, there was strong consensus on the need for unity, transparency and proper process alongside pastoral care. Despite personal convictions across traditions, the House of Bishops recognised these were the procedural realities to effect any future change.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, chair of the LLF Programme Board, commented: "As we continue prayerfully to navigate this important work on behalf of the Church, we believe these are the right decisions following further legal and theological advice.
“However, we recognise that for some, they will be difficult and disappointing.
“I continue to pray for God’s grace and gentleness for all as we continue to discern a way through these questions.”
Read more from the House of Bishops statement here.