Synod Passes Compromise Resolution on Homosexuality

The Church of England’s General Synod has passed a compromise resolution on homosexuality after a lengthy debate on a high profile private members’ motion asking Synod to accept homosexuals at every level of the Church.

The motion put forward by the Rev Mary Gilbert of the Lichfield Diocese asked Synod to “respect the patterns of holy living which lesbians and gay Christians aspire” and “welcome and affirm lesbian and gay Christians, lay and ordained, valuing their contribution at every level of the Church”.

Some Synod members were wary of debating the motion so soon after the difficult five-day meeting in Tanzania between the Primates of the Anglican Communion which concluded with a communiqué to the Episcopal Church of the USA asking it to clarify its position on homosexuality by September 30. Read more