The Pensive Pilgrim

I have spent the last ten days or so mentally processing the recent statement from the CofE's House of Bishops regarding LGBTQI+ relationships, their apology to the LGBTQI+ community and the draft 'Prayers of Love and Faith'.  Unlike so many other members of the LGBTQI+ community and our ever-growing number of supporters, I was not disappointed by the outcome of the bishops' deliberations. This wasn't because I was delighted with the outcome - far from it; rather it's because I realised that it would be absurd to expect the bishops to approve same-sex marriage when they are still clearly divided on the issue and while there is no possibility of attaining the necessary majorities in all three houses of General Synod for approval of a change in our doctrine of marriage. In any event, having grappled with the CofE's approach to sexuality for over forty years, I have learned never to have high expectations of the CofE in general and the House of Bishops in parti...

This is probably rather a sad admission, but I spent my last waking hour last night watching the 'You Tube' recording of the Archbishops' Press Conference following the recent announcement by the House of Bishops of the publication of Prayers of Blessing for same-sex couples.  As someone who has spent a lifetime being profoundly affected - and often deeply wounded - by the church's response to LGBTQI+ people, and still struggling to process how I really feel about this recent development, I wanted to hear for myself exactly what was said, and how it was said. It wasn't easy viewing. The tension and discomfort of the panel was quite palpable. Perhaps not surprisingly, Dr Eeva John, Enabling Officer of the 'Living in Love and  Faith' project was easily the most robust, confident and coherent speaker, with Sarah Mullaly, bishop of London, the least.  After the inevitable preliminaries - a brief explanation of the role of General Synod by William Nye and a quick...