Living in Love and Faith - A message from Bishop Stephen and Bishop Dagmar
Dear Friends
At a press conference this morning, the bishops of the Church of England published a series of documents as a response to the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process that began six years ago.
LLF explores human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage in the contexts of the Christian faith, changes in society, and disagreements in the church.
You can read all of the LLF documents going to General Synod in February by following this link.
We would like to draw your attention in particular to the Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on pages 2 – 4 of the “Bishops’ Response to LLF” document [which you will find linked on this page for your convenience].
We are glad to be signatories to the letter. It communicates our desire to reach out to LGBTQI+ people and serve them better. It also represents the reality of the measure of common ground which we as the bishops of the Church of England could reach.
We warmly welcome the Draft ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ (also linked on this page), enabling us to celebrate faithfulness in relationships, even though we personally regret that this pastoral way forward is leaving many deeply disappointed.
You will be well aware, as we are, of the widely differing views and beliefs held in our Diocese. We continue to appreciate and respect those of you who find any change to traditional practice hard to accept and note there is no question of forcing anyone to act against their conscience.
The LLF process has led us to discover once more what hard work that radical Christian inclusion is to which we are called! We remain committed to it as we do to each of you.
Next month, General Synod will have opportunity to consider all the documents. Please pray for our General Synod representatives.
This letter comes with our prayers and with every blessing to you during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Almighty God,
in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory:
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely and The Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon