THE Bishops of Carlisle and Penrith have written a joint pastoral letter to clergy following an announcement that the College of Bishops have proposed prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God’s blessing for same-sex couples.

Under the proposals, same-sex couples would still not be able to get married in a Church of England church and formal teaching that holy matrimony is between one man and one woman for life would not change.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, and the Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, have been involved with 'a six-year period of listening, learning and discernment' across the Church of England known as Living in Love and Faith (LLF).

Writing to clergy in the Diocese, Bishop James and Bishop Rob thanked all those who have engaged with the LLF process, as the College of Bishops publish draft prayers and further background information.

They write: “We recognise that, for some, these recommendations will not go nearly far enough, that the apology may appear empty whilst we do not offer same-sex marriage in church.

“For others, these proposals will go too far, affirming relationships which they believe God does not affirm.

“In these recommendations, the College of Bishops has sought to hold various things together. Firstly, that all people are invited into a life-giving relationship with our loving God through Jesus Christ.

“Secondly, that Holy Matrimony is a wonderful gift of God in creation, which we have received and which we share in a particular understanding with Christians across generations, cultures and traditions.

“Thirdly, we recognise in other relationships many of the ‘goods’ that we see in marriage: faithfulness, stability, love and care for others, and we want to affirm these.

“Finally, despite the huge differences which exist across the church, and also amongst the Bishops, we are committed to walking together because Christ calls us to be one, even when that hurts. There is more that unites us.”

The proposals will be debated at next month’s General Synod - the Church of England’s national assembly.

They would enable same-sex couples to come to church to give thanks for their civil marriage or civil partnership and receive God’s blessing using a range of draft prayers, known as Prayers of Love and Faith, which could be used voluntarily in churches.

Bishop James and Bishop Rob added: “Many of you will know that, as bishops in this diocese, we hold a traditional view of Holy Matrimony and that we have argued for this.

“We are also committed to holding a church together which is broad and generous, where there is space for disagreement and wrestling with how to follow Jesus Christ today.

“This wrestling, and the often difficult conflict that results, is part of what it is to be the church, a diverse and sometimes argumentative family committed to one another because we share a hope in the Saviour, Lord and friend who calls us to love one another.”

Both Bishop James and Bishop Rob are encouraging people to hold the business of next month’s General Synod in their prayers.

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