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Andrew Goddard writes: Part One of these three articles set out the process of commending prayers for use under canon B5 and the problems with the bishops’ proposal to introduce PLF by this means. Given these problems it may be better to look for formal approval of PLF by the alternative route of authorisation. Here a … Continue Reading
Andrew Goddard writes: As the Report of the House of Commons Privileges Committee makes clear, beneath the high drama of Boris Johnson’s recent resignation as an MP there lie important questions of principle about procedure and power. These can get lost in the soap opera focus on personalities but they are crucial. When there are questions … Continue Reading
Andrew Goddard writes: The proposed Prayers of Love and Faith, once finalised, will need to be given an official status and made available for use in the church by some particular legal route. The options for this (full texts available here) are laid out in Canons B2 (authorisation by General Synod), B4 (authorisation by Convocation, Archbishops, … Continue Reading
Why is the debate on sexuality and marriage in the Church of England (and other churches) such a big deal? Why can’t we just agree to disagree—to get on together and learn to live with difference? Two groups regularly say that to me. The first is those who want change in the Church’s teaching. Why … Continue Reading
Martin Davie writes: According to a report in the Church Times, during the Religion Media Festival on Monday this week the Archbishop of Canterbury responded to a question about whether the Church of England was ‘ too apologetic about its positions on sexual morality.’ His answer was to say that he entirely agreed with the questioner’s … Continue Reading
Andrew Goddard writes: With the College and House of Bishops meeting next week and the July General Synod just over a month away it seems a good time to try to stop and take stock afresh on the turmoil of the last four months or so (my earlier attempts to do so are here and here). … Continue Reading
In March 2021, the Archbishops commissioned a project to look at issues around family and households; this was the third of four Commissioners arising from Justin Welby’s 2018 book Reimagining Britain (which I reviewed here), the previous ones covering housing and care respectively, alongside the ongoing commission on racial justice. Before I read the report myself, I … Continue Reading
Andrew Goddard writes: in the first of three articles, I highlighted the challenges that now face the post-LLF process in ‘squaring the circle’ of different commitments made in our understanding of blessing, the nature of marriage, and our agreed sexual ethic. In the second one, I explored the question of our disagreements and what might be … Continue Reading
Andrew Goddard writes: in the first of three articles, I highlighted the challenges that now face the post-LLF process in ‘squaring the circle’ of different commitments made in our understanding of blessing, the nature of marriage, and our agreed sexual ethic. In this second one, I explore the question of our disagreements and what might … Continue Reading
Andrew Goddard writes: In his recent critical profile of Archbishop Justin Welby, Giles Fraser recalls interviewing him in 2012 when he wrote of the then Bishop of Durham whose name was becoming prominent as a likely successor to Rowan Williams, On the subject of women bishops he speaks of the need to square the circle, reconciling … Continue Reading
Julie Maxwell writes: It is now a couple of months since the Church of England General Synod meeting where we discussed the Bishop’s proposals following the lengthy Living in Love and Faith process, and it is clear to me that there are two broad views. The first is that God’s design for marriage and sex is … Continue Reading
Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Adjunct Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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