Church of England Shuts Down Six Year Same Sex Blessings Debate With Deep Fractures Still Wide Open

Church of England Officially Ends Living in Love and Faith Process as Same Sex Blessing Debate Remains Unresolved

The Church of England's General Synod has voted to formally conclude its Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, bringing an end to nearly six years of deliberation over same sex relationships and blessings. The motion, moved by Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, was approved across all three houses of Synod.

The vote results were decisive in the House of Bishops, with 34 in favour and none against. In the House of Clergy, 109 voted in favour while 62 voted against with 10 abstentions. The House of Laity mirrored this pattern, with 109 in favour, 70 against, and 9 abstentions.

The LLF process launched in November 2020 and led to the approval of Prayers of Love and Faith for same sex couples in February 2023, which began being used in parishes from December 2023. However, the House of Bishops concluded that standalone same sex blessing services would violate Church doctrine, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

This is not where I want us to be, nor where I hoped we would be three years ago.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell said during the Synod debate.

The formal conclusion is set for July 2026. Deep divisions remain within the Church. LGBT Christians expressed pain and hurt over the outcome, while conservative Anglicans said they too had experienced significant distress throughout the process.

Lay member Busola Sodeinde pushed back against the characterisation of traditionalists, criticising the framing that those who hold to historic Church teaching are "homophobic." The debate exposed fractures that run through every level of the institution, from parish pews to the highest offices.

General Synod Votes to Wind Down LLF Process Amid Ongoing Anglican Division Over Blessings

Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally presided over the session, which marks one of the most significant moments in the Church of England's modern history. The decision effectively shelves the possibility of formal same sex blessing liturgies for the foreseeable future, while the existing Prayers of Love and Faith remain available for voluntary use by willing clergy.

The Crusader's Opinion

Six years. Six years of committees, consultations, reports, and agonising debates, and the Church of England still cannot bring itself to simply say what Scripture has always said. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Full stop. The fact that this needed a "process" at all tells you everything about the spiritual state of the institution. Meanwhile, Christians in Nigeria and Syria are being slaughtered for their faith, and the Church of England is tying itself in knots over whether to bless what God has already spoken clearly on. The Archbishop of York says this is "not where I hoped we would be." Neither did we, Your Grace. We hoped you would lead with conviction, not compromise. Stand on the Word or step aside for those who will.

Take Action

• Write to your local Church of England bishop and let them know you expect them to uphold historic Christian teaching on marriage. Find your diocese at churchofengland.org/about/dioceses.
• Support the work of GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference), which stands firm on biblical orthodoxy within the Anglican Communion.
• Join or support the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), which advocates for faithful biblical teaching within the denomination.
• Pray for unity among Christians who hold to Scripture. Consider joining a prayer network through 24 7 Prayer.
• If you feel led to support persecuted Christians who face real consequences for their faith, donate to www.TheShepherdsShield.org or Open Doors UK.