Church of England Bishops Delay Decision on Same Sex Blessings Amid Internal Division
The Church of England's House of Bishops has announced it will take additional time before making final decisions regarding the blessing of same sex relationships, extending a debate that has divided the denomination for years.
The bishops met recently to discuss proposals that would allow clergy to offer prayers of blessing for same sex couples in church buildings, a practice currently not officially permitted under Church of England doctrine.
The proposed changes would stop short of allowing same sex marriages in Anglican churches but would represent a significant shift in the church's pastoral approach to LGBTQ relationships.
Following the meeting, bishops indicated they require more time to consult with parishes, theologians, and church members across England before reaching a conclusion.
The delay comes after intense pressure from both progressive and conservative factions within the denomination, with each side arguing their position represents authentic Christian teaching.
Conservative evangelicals and traditional Anglo Catholics have warned that approving same sex blessings would contradict biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality, potentially triggering departures from the Church of England and damaging relationships with Anglican churches in the Global South, particularly in Africa where the majority of practicing Anglicans now worship.
Progressive church leaders argue that the current stance excludes LGBTQ Christians and fails to reflect contemporary understandings of human sexuality and relationships.
They contend that offering blessings represents pastoral care and inclusion without changing the church's formal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has attempted to navigate between the competing positions while acknowledging the church cannot satisfy all parties. The extended timeline means no immediate changes will occur, leaving individual parishes and clergy to continue operating under existing guidelines that prohibit official same sex blessings.
The debate reflects broader tensions within global Christianity as Western churches increasingly diverge from churches in Africa, Asia, and South America on issues of sexuality and biblical interpretation.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
The bishops are stalling.
Not seeking wisdom. Stalling.
Scripture is clear on marriage. One man, one woman, covenant before God.
Two thousand years of Christian teaching doesn't need more committee meetings.
It needs courage to say what's always been true.
The Global South gets it. Seventy percent of Anglicans live in Africa and Asia, and they're watching the English church debate what they already settled: biblical authority matters more than cultural approval.
Every delay signals weakness.
Every consultation with "contemporary understandings" signals surrender.
The word isn't "inclusion."
The word is compromise.
And the church doesn't get to rewrite what God already wrote.
TAKE ACTION
Support Orthodox Anglican Churches: GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) Website: https://www.gafcon.org Email: info@gafcon.org
Contact Church of England Leadership: Let bishops know where faithful Christians stand House of Bishops: houseofbishops@churchofengland.org Archbishop of Canterbury's Office: archbishop.canterbury@lambethpalace.org.uk
Donate to Biblically Faithful Anglican Missions: Anglican Mission in the Americas Website: https://theamia.org/donate Phone: +1 (800) 234-6702
Start a Conversation: Ask your Anglican friends: "Do you think the Church should change teaching that's been consistent for two millennia, or stand firm regardless of cultural pressure?" Challenge them to read what Scripture actually says about marriage in Genesis 2, Matthew 19, and Ephesians 5.
Support African Anglican Churches: These churches remain faithful to biblical teaching while facing pressure from Western denominations Church Mission Society: https://churchmissionsociety.org
