Lift legal barriers on same-sex marriage says Bishop of Oxford
The Rt Rev Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford now believes that legal barriers on the solemnisation of same-sex marriage in the Church of England should be lifted.
Mr Croft has said that now is the time to enable local churches and clergy to offer public services of the blessing got same-sex relationships.
Church of England clergy are currently prohibited from blessing a civil partnership in Church and cannot conduct a marriage service for a same-sex couple.
In a 52-page essay, which will be released tomorrow (Friday) he discusses the ways in which his views on same-sex marriage has changed over the last decade.
He said the clergy should also be given the freedom to order their own relationships “according to their conscience” and to marry a same-sex partner.
Mr Croft, who is also a member of the House of Lords, said: “I need to acknowledge the acute pain and distress of LGBTQ+ people in the life of the Church.
“I am sorry that, corporately, we have been so slow as a Church to reach better decisions and practice on these matters.
“I am sorry that my own views were slow to change and that my actions, and lack of action, have caused genuine hurt, disagreement and pain.”
The Bishop also reflects that many Christians in the Church of England hold and will continue to hold a traditional view of marriage and this should be honoured and respected by those who are seeking freedom to change.
This is the majority view across the worldwide Anglican Communion at this time, although some Anglican Provinces have already made the decision to allow the blessing of same-sex relationships.
He said: “Any settlement must be founded on love and respect: love and respect for LGBTQ+ people and their families within and beyond the Church, love and respect for those who take different views.
“This love must be the hallmark of our debates and conduct through this season”.
Mr Croft’s essay, Together in Love and Faith, will be released on November 4 and can be found and purchased online.
The Diocese of Oxford includes the deaneries of Newbury and Bradfield.
