{"id":121933,"date":"2023-07-10T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=121933"},"modified":"2023-07-10T17:28:45","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T21:28:45","slug":"andrew-goddard-is-what-the-church-of-england-bishops-are-doing-theologically-coherent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=121933","title":{"rendered":"(Psephizo) Andrew Goddard–Is what the Church of England Bishops are Doing Theologically Coherent?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many\u2014including\u00a0a number of leaders of various networks in a letter<\/a>, subsequently\u00a0supported by 22 bishops<\/a>\u2014are arguing the only proper route, given the subject matter, is the usual process of Synodical scrutiny and approval under canon B2. This would require two-thirds support in each of Synod\u2019s three Houses in order to determine the prayers had consensus and were not indicative of a departure from doctrine. This seemingly technical procedural matter raises important questions as to the sort of church we want to be\u2014the update opens by talking about \u201cinclusive participation\u201d (para 1)\u2014and whether any route other than B2 exceeds the powers of non-Synodical bodies on such a contentious matter and is unconstitutional. I have explored these questions in some detail\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0(with a summary\u00a0here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Third<\/i>, it originally appeared the prayers might be offered for a wide range of non-marital committed relationships. This is now less prominent (although the still undefined and novel category of \u201ccovenant friendship\u201d continues to be highlighted) with more focus on same-sex relationships and an emphasis on these being \u201cdemonstrably faithful, exclusive, and permanent\u201d (para 12). How a relationship could prove it meets these three criteria remains unclear. Making a legal status act as the gateway is problematic because the service would then appear to be affirming that status and civil partnerships do not require vows. The most contentious matters here are whether they can be used for sexual relationships other than marriage and\/or for those in a civil same-sex marriage.<\/p>\n

It would appear the bishops originally thought that the prayers, as they are silent in relation to sexual intimacy or the legal status of the couple, had gained sufficient consensus but this now looks less secure. This is in part because while the prayers may be silent and hence ambiguous, to enable their use in such contexts would require a change in teaching relating to sex and marriage. This is something which cannot be so easily camouflaged, which many are unwilling to embrace, and for which there has not yet been sufficient legal and theological justification.<\/strong> The focus of attention has therefore moved from the prayers to the second area of work which was totally undeveloped back in February but where the bishops perhaps should have begun their discernment…’ <\/p>\n

Read it all<\/a> (my emphasis).<\/p>\n

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As part of @churchofengland<\/a> LLF, Rev Andrew Goddard @goddardaj<\/a> and our assistant curate Rev Georgina @TechieGeorgina<\/a> have been having conversations about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. View their latest conversation (link below) #LivingInLoveAndFaith<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Ig3RCrzWON<\/a><\/p>\n

— St John's Hyde Park (@StJohnsHP) January 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n