Since 2017, the Church of England has been journeying together exploring some of these questions by means of a suite of Living in Love and Faith resources that were published in November 2020. The bishops of the Church of England invited church communities from across the country to use the resources to learn together, to listen to one another and to God. Everyone who took part was encouraged to share their insights, stories and reflections in order to contribute to the bishops’ discernment about matters of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Despite big differences over the best approach to take, the Church agrees it needs to better include and support LGBTQI+ people.
In July 2024, General Synod asked the House of Bishops to undertake further work on two aspects of the LLF process:
- The Prayers of Love and Faith, specifically on how to use these in so-called ‘bespoke’ services and what pastoral reassurance might be needed for this.
- A timetable for consideration of the question on removing restrictions for clergy entering same-sex civil marriages.
The House of Bishops has asked the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC), and the Episcopal Reference Group (the episcopal members of FAOC), together with the LLF team and the LLF Working Groups for advice and to draft proposals. The draft proposals remain flexible, and both consultations and further theological advice will help the House of Bishops refine them, before deciding if and how to take them forward, including bringing them back General Synod to be discussed and voted on.
In the video below, you can learn more about the draft proposals that have been put together in response to the General Synod vote in July 2024. Over summer and early autumn 2025, these proposals will be out for informal consultation with diocesan synods and other bodies. You can find more resources and the updates from spring 2025 here.
What this means in our Diocese
The House of Bishops commended the Prayers of Love and Faith for use in regular public worship from Sunday 17 December 2024. More information and pastoral guidance are available on the Church of England website. The prayers are offered as pastoral provision for those clergy and parishes who want to make use of them.
The Living in Love and Faith consultation will be a key focus for our Diocesan Synod meeting on 10 July 2025. The session will be facilitated by Dr Nick Shepherd (who is the national LLF Programme Director and a Reader in this diocese) and our discussions will take place in small groups, with people moving between different groups, each with a facilitator. There will be the option of submitting feedback through an anonymous online portal using smartphones or tablets.
Chaplaincy support – both for diocesan staff and members of Synod – will be provided at the Synod meeting and in the days around it. Revd Charlie Lamont and Revd Anna Drew will be working with our own Synod Chaplain, Adrian Greenwood, to ensure that people have an ear to hear their concerns and someone to pray with, in confidence.
To support this consultation, the national LLF working group has provided the following resources:
- The LLF Spring 2025 Update – A general update on the process to date, with the detail of key aspects of the draft proposals for the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith, including in standalone services, and the accompanying proposed pastoral reassurance
- Update of Theological Work – This provides more detail on the theological work that has already been done by the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission and the Episcopal Reference Group
“In each Deanery, in each Episcopal Area, and in my own staff team we model unity in diversity – great diversity. That is a distinctive hallmark of Southwark which, as you know, I encourage us all to see as God’s gift and blessing. I anticipate that a good number of parishes, under the leadership of their incumbents, will use the Prayers of Love and Faith with joy. Others will take time to make a decision, and some will be clear in their convictions from the outset that they do not wish to use them.
“Be assured that, whatever your theological perspectives or personal concerns, I am committed to each one of you, to respecting your conscience and honouring your convictions. In addition, I ask that we continue to speak well of each other as befits our incorporation into the Body of Christ.”
The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun
Living in Love and Faith Pastoral Letter (October 2023)
Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod (November 2023)
