THE General Synod is to vote on whether stand-alone services of blessing for same-sex couples should be authorised immediately for experimental use rather than first undergoing a full synodical process. In his presidential address, the Archbishop of York stated his support for the Oxford amendment, saying that the authorisation of the prayers on an experimental basis was a “sensible and pastoral way forward”. At the start of his own presidential address, Archbishop Welby said that he was in “complete agreement” with the remarks that Archbishop Cottrell was planning to make. Among the 12 other amendments being tabled is one brought by the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson. An amendment tabled by the Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neal (Chelmsford) calls for this pastoral guidance to be issued by the end of March 2024.

Source: The Times November 14, 2023 00:15 UTC