Church of England bishops to hold discussion on sexuality
The Church of England’s College of Bishops will meet next week to discuss sexuality, and how to allow an open conversation on the issue.
The two-day long meeting will see bishops and facilitators work together to find a way to discuss the issue without a “predetermined trajectory.”
A Church of England briefing paper for the meeting reads: “Under the direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Director for Reconciliation, Canon David Porter, a team of around 20 trained facilitators will support a process of conversations across the Church of England. They will bring the skills necessary to ensure that the process provides a safe place for all viewpoints to be expressed and to keep the conversations to the objective of seeking understanding rather than having any predetermined trajectory.
“The process will begin at the meeting of the College of Bishops in September where the bishops will spend two days working in small groups with facilitators.”
Last year the Pilling Report recommended the church adopt a more conciliatory approach to same-sex marriages, but the House of Bishops refused to back formal blessings, and forbade gay clergy from marrying.
The report also suggested that the church become more accepting though a series of conversations around the subject.
