College of Bishops announces group to reflect on sexuality
Update: Since publishing this article, the Church of England has published the terms of reference of the Bishops' Reflection Group on Human Sexuality and the membership of the group.
The College of Bishops of the Church of England has set up a new body to "take forward the work on sexuality".
The establishment of the 'Bishops' Reflection Group on Sexuality' was announced yesterday afternoon after the College of Bishops met in Oxford this week.
A statement from the College of Bishops said: "Following the conclusion of the shared conversations process the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have invited some bishops to take forward work on sexuality to assist the episcopal discernment process".
It will be chaired by the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James, and the full membership of the group and its terms of reference will be published "in due course".
Questions raised
The appointment of Bishop James, who was a leading contender to succeed Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013, has raised questions due to comments he has previously made in the media.
In a letter to the Eastern Daily Press, he said "there is little on the Church’s teaching [on marriage] which is gender-specific".
He added: "There is no provision for the Church of England (or any other church or religious denomination for that matter) to solemnise marriage for same sex couples in church.
"While this is intended to protect the conscience of those unable to celebrate a same-sex marriage, it may create an unhealthy and damaging division between civil marriage and marriages solemnized on religious premises."
Lack of confidence
The bishops discussed sexuality as well as a range of other topical issues following the 'shared conversations' on sexuality at the Church's July Synod.
Last month, 72 members of the Church of England’s General Synod signed an open letter to bishops urging them to be faithful to Scripture on the issue of human sexuality.
It followed a letter, in July, which expressed "a lack of confidence" in the in the 'shared conversations' process.
A separate statement was also issued by Andrea and the Director of the Wilberforce Academy, Dr Joe Boot, which described the ‘listening’ agenda as "divisive, with the sole aim of softening opposition to revisionism and change."
Related Links:
General Synod members express 'lack of confidence' over 'shared conversations'
Synod members urge Church of England to be faithful to Scripture
Statement from the College of Bishops (Church of England)
LETTER: Bishops’ letter in response to the gay marriage debate (Eastern Daily Press)
