The Church of England is facing "Groundhog Day" over same-sex relationships, according to one of its leading evangelical figures.
John Dunnett, National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), spoke out after a meeting of CofE bishops on Tuesday 16 December, which decided to "spend more time finalising its proposals on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage".
“Without wishing to sound negative, this rather sounds like an admission of 'Groundhog Day’," Dunnett said.
Groundhog Day is a famous 1993 film in which the central character finds himself experiencing the same day over and over again multiple times.
"The tectonic divisions caused by LLF continue to rumble through the Church of England. General Synod, Diocesan Synods and parishes are experiencing it – sadly, it is now eroding the collegiality of the House of Bishops and their ability to lead." Dunnett added: “It is hard to imagine that taking more time is going to enable the bishops to square a circle. Our hope and prayer is that the House will have the courage to attempt a different approach – to recognise the depth of division LLF has caused in the church, and either halt the project, or revisit CEEC’s proposals for the creation of differentiated ‘spaces’ within the church that will help secure orthodoxy for the future.”
The House of Bishops will meet again in mid-January to decide on what will be taken to General Synod.
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