\u2018Thank you for leading the way on this important issue. We are grateful that you have recognised that not all married couples can have children and that a gender-neutral approach will enable us to become a loving and inclusive Church for all. We still have a few problems to sort out over here with those who keep threatening to leave, but we know that your actions have given great hope to thousands and shown that the Church is not as homophobic as it can sometimes appear.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
A footnote refers to a survey carried out by YouGov in 2016, in which 42 per cent of respondents who identified as Anglican said that same-sex marriage was \u201cright\u201d (39 per cent said that it was wrong). Both the survey and the letter were organised by Jayne Ozanne, an LGBT campaigner who represents the diocese of Oxford on the General Synod. It was \u201cperplexing\u201d, she said, that Mr Nye\u2019s response \u201cdoes not reflect the level of dissent shown by recent decisions taken by the General Synod\u201d.<\/p>\n
A Church House spokesperson said that Mr Nye had replied to the consultation \u201cas Provincial Secretary of the Church of England\u201d, and had \u201cconsulted both Archbishops. It was concluded that, as there was not time for full consultation of the House of Bishops \u2014 which meets only twice a year \u2014 a reply should be sent at staff level. Church House staff therefore produced a reply, in consultation with the Archbishops and the Bishop of Coventry, the chairman of the Faith and Order Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n