Those who hold to the doctrine of the Church of England, which is to say, the doctrine revealed in Scripture, borne witness to in the historic formularies, and clarified in the canons, do not want the Prayers of Love and Faith.<\/p>\n
But surely those who want to see things change should welcome them?<\/p>\n
Well, no. Following the bishops\u2019 announcement, a number of revisionists expressed their ongoing frustration. And we should not be surprised at this.<\/p>\n
Because the bishops have resolutely refused to provide any theological basis for the Prayers of Love and Faith, as they stand, they are profoundly discriminatory. At February General Synod, I described them as \u2018profoundly homophobic\u2019, and I stand by that. For, without any justification given, these prayers imply that homosexual relationships can be celebrated and blessed – just not as much as heterosexual relationships. Gay couples can use the same prayers as at any marriage service – but they can\u2019t be married. They can exchange rings – but not wedding rings.<\/p>\n
And we have been told explicitly that the church\u2019s doctrine has not changed. So these prayers can only be offered on the basis that the gay couple can\u2019t be married, that if their relationship is sexual, it is sinful, and that their relationship itself can\u2019t be blessed, though we can ask for God to bless them as individuals.<\/p>\n
Who is going to want that?<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Who wants the Prayers of Love and Faith anyway?https:\/\/t.co\/9BqCWehARq<\/a><\/p>\n — Church Society (@ChurchSociety) October 10, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n