Church of England bishop: Church has a legacy of serious institutional homophobia
The Bishop of Buckingham has recorded a Christmas sermon for the LGBT community in which he condemns the Church of England’s treatment of gay people.
The full video, which will be published on PinkNews tomorrow, was recorded by the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson.
In it, he congratulates all same-sex couples who have married or converted their civil partnerships to marriage this year, and condemns the Church of England for its treatment of gay people.
He says: “Christians believe God is love and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. But, you may say, churches have a funny way of showing that sometimes.
“We still have a legacy of serious institutional homophobia, inertia and ignorance to overcome. The fact is, however, where people dare to think things could be different, think things through without prejudice, there is hope.”
He adds: “Some gay clergy are now married. In very few years people will wonder what the fuss was all about. But for now it’s a path that calls for considerable courage and determination.
“So please spare a thought this Christmas for them. If you’re the praying sort, do remember LGBTI people searching for hope at home in those churches that just don’t get equality.”
The clip is set to be released tomorrow morning.
The Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson, spoke at the PinkNews Awards gala dinner, which was held in honour of the Human Dignity Trust.
