For some the Cathedral\u2019s approach falls far, far short of what the church should do to welcome and celebrate same-sex couples.\u00a0 From this perspective, if this is all that can be offered to gay and lesbian couples within the current law then it is, in truth, unjust and insulting.\u00a0 If even this is not permitted by current teaching and guidance then all talk of \u201cwelcome\u201d and \u201cradical Christian inclusion\u201d is simply pious, prelatical platitudes.<\/p>\n
For a second group this solution represents an acceptable, even admirable, Anglican via media<\/em> of legitimate pastoral accommodation and compromise for the sake of unity.\u00a0 It should, therefore, be commended more widely (as apparently it is to enquiring parish clergy in Southwark dioceses).\u00a0 It is a good example of what the Bishop of Chelmsford set out as his vision in his March Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod<\/a>, leading to widespread concerns among evangelicals in the diocese:<\/p>\n Let me plain: LGBTI+ people are welcome in the churches of the Chelmsford diocese. They are welcome and we want to listen to them and work with them so as to find appropriate ways of expressing their love \u2013 for it is not good for human beings to be alone \u2013 in permanent, faithful, stable relationships. At the moment there is no consensus in the Church of England for those relationships to be formally blessed in Church, or for the Church of England to embrace same-sex marriage, but the current arrangements do welcome lay people and clergy into civil partnerships and there is no reason why prayers of thanksgiving for these relationships \u2013 perhaps a Eucharist \u2013 cannot be offered.\u00a0 We do not want same-sex couples to be cut off from the Church, and we want those who come to us seeking God\u2019s blessing for their love to receive the guidance, challenge and support of the Church.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n For this to happen, however, it either needs to be clearly shown that such services are (as the Cathedral claims but Davie disputes) within the bishops\u2019 guidance or that guidance needs to be adapted to enable this form of accommodation.<\/p>\n For a third group, however, as the widespread concern among evangelicals in Guildford and Southwark dioceses shows, such services clearly reject the spirit and probably the letter of the church\u2019s current teaching and guidance.<\/p>\n