Liberal CofE motion 'may pass'

Ros Clarke, acting Director of evangelical Anglican organisation the Church Society, speaks to en's Lydia Houghton about the upcoming July General Synod session and Helen King's Private Members Motion titled, Same-sex relationships compatibility with Christian discipleship: "Professor Helen King (Oxford) to move: 'That this Synod affirm that there are no fundamental objections to being in a committed, faithful, intimate same-sex relationship, and that such a relationship can be entirely compatible with Christian discipleship.'"

LH: How likely do you think it is that Helen King's Private Members Motion will go through?

Ros: There has been a small but consistent majority for the revisionist position during this quinquennium, and on that basis it seems very likely that the King PMM will pass.

The motion is written to establish a principle rather than deal with legal or liturgical details, and so it will stand or fall on the basis of theological convictions. As it stands, there is a deliberate vagueness in the word "intimate", which could refer to non-sexual, close friendships, in order to encourage even more people to agree to it.

LH: What will happen if it does go through?

Ros: If it does go through, this will be taken as the foundation for a stronger liberalising agenda over the course of the next five year term of General Synod. Future debates may simply focus on the practical outworking of the principle established by the King motion, and it will be extremely difficult to resist future change.

LH: Is there anything else that you think evangelicals should be aware of?

Ros: As things currently stand, the changes which have been introduced through the Prayers of Love and Faith are not good, but they are limited and reversible. The King motion would open the way for much more serious, structural changes which would see the gospel ministry of the Church of England severely compromised. Now is the time to act and to pray!

For more evangelical comment on this issue, see CEEC (Church of England Evangelical Council) National Director John Dunnett's en article, "The most significant Synod motion in forty years?"