ISTOCK THE Bishop of Islington, the Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, has published what is described as “a relatively short theological summary of the doctrine of marriage as the Church of England has received it” ahead of the General Synod debate on the bishops’ proposals for the blessing of same-sex unions.
The nine-page document is signed by 14 bishops, nine of whom are diocesans, from both Catholic and Evangelical traditions. The signatories are the Bishops of Coventry, Rochester, Hereford, Leicester, Carlisle, Chichester, Guildford, Sheffield, and Southwell & Nottingham, as well as the Bishops of Fulham, Horsham, Woolwich, Lancaster, and Islington.
In a post on Twitter on Tuesday, linked to the document, Bishop Thorpe said that he hoped the document could be “a resource to the C of E in its ongoing discussions”.
The introduction suggests the document is a response to a request for guidance “in understanding why many Christians in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, together with Christians from across the churches of world Christianity, continue to believe that marriage is given by God for the union of a man and woman and that it cannot be extended to those who are of the same sex”.
They write: “This paper emerged from study and conversations in recent months among a number of bishops, Evangelical and Catholic. It was helpful not only to us but also to other bishops of the same mind, in clarifying some of our own thinking and prayerful discernment on these important matters as we contributed to the LLF deliberations in the College of Bishops.”
They continue: “Without seeking to diminish the value of many committed same-sex relationships, for which there is much to give thanks, we find ourselves constrained by what we sincerely believe the scriptures teach which cannot be set aside.”
The bishops recognise that their paper will not be welcomed by all, but stress: “In offering this paper we are committed to continue to listen and learn from those with whom we disagree.”
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Fourteen bishops publish a defence of traditional marriage
Fourteen bishops publish a defence of traditional marriage
