{"id":142594,"date":"2026-01-14T17:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=142594"},"modified":"2026-01-14T18:41:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T23:41:16","slug":"church-times-no-proposals-for-same-sex-blessings-at-forthcoming-synod-bishops-confirm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=142594","title":{"rendered":"(Church times) No proposals for same-sex blessings at forthcoming Synod, Bishops confirm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a statement<\/a> issued on Wednesday afternoon, the Bishops acknowledged that their decisions will be \u201cthe cause of profound anguish to many LGBTQI+<\/a> people and their allies\u201d, and that it \u201cleaves some important questions unresolved\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement confirms decisions taken by the House of Bishops in October, to subject stand-alone services of blessing for same-sex couples and the reconsideration of rules that bar the clergy from entering into same-sex marriage to further synodical processes (News, 17 October<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After heavy criticism (News 24 October<\/a> and 30 October<\/a>) and lobbying (News, 12 December<\/a> and 19\/26 December<\/a>), from both sides of the debate, the Bishops met again in December, when they opted to defer the final decision until their meeting on Wednesday of this week (News, 19\/26 December<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A working group will now consider how legislative steps on clergy same-sex marriage<\/a> and stand-alone services could be taken forward, and consult on what \u201cpastoral episcopal provision\u201d might be appropriate if any further changes are proposed. This new group will, the statement says, report to General Synod by November 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>

The Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process will come to an \u201cimperfect\u201d and \u201cuntidy\u201d end in February, the House of Bishops has said#samesexblessings<\/a> #churchofengland<\/a> #churchnews<\/a> #churchtimes<\/a> #Synod<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/U994MD89i4<\/a><\/p>— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>