Saturday, July 2, 2011

Bishops review approach to gay relationships and gay priests


From The Guardian-

The Church of England has said it is reviewing its approach to same-sex relationships and whether gay priests in civil partnerships should be allowed to become bishops, its most significant work on the subject for years.

According to a statement from the House of Bishops, there is a "theological task to be done to clarify further understanding of the nature and status of these partnerships".

The bishop of Norwich, Graham James, said the "last substantive engagement" with the issue of homosexuality was in 2005.

"Contrary to popular perception the House of Bishops has spent very little time in recent years discussing homosexuality. The House has now agreed the time has come to commission two new pieces of work."

Gay clergy in civil partnerships should not be nominated as bishops "to avoid prompting the outcome of the view".

The review will glean information from an initiative launched in 1998 designed to listen to the experiences of gay and lesbian Anglicans around the world.

More here-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/01/church-england-reconsider-stance-gay-bishops

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