What is the Bishop of Oxford thinking?

Posted on November 5, 2022 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars

At Psephizo, Ian Paul takes a look at the booklet, Together in Love and Faith, released on Thursday by the Bishop of Oxford. The bishop sets out his changed thinking on same-sex relationships, and argues the Church of England should provide services for the blessing of same-sex civil partnerships and marriages.

Ian Paul writes:

“We start with the booklet’s title: ‘Together’ in Love and Faith. This is rather odd, since Steven is completely clear that what he proposing will not command consensus, and in fact will bring division into his diocese, to the point at which he notes many bishops will be uncomfortable with his proposals.

In fact, it will bring division not just to his diocese, and not just to the C of E, but to the Anglican Communion. I do find it remarkable that he is writing this hot on the heels of the Lambeth Conference, where it was abundantly clear that the move of some Western provinces to do what Steven is proposing has divided the Communion, perhaps terminally. …”

– Read it all here. Illustration: Psephizo.