According to the original documents, called “Lambeth Calls,” marriage is defined as “between a man and a woman,” and the documents go on to say: “It is the mind of the Anglican Communion as a whole that same-gender marriage is not permissible.” The documents also stated that “legitimizing or blessing same-sex unions” cannot be advised. Bishops and laity in favor of same-sex unions were outraged, among them Bishop John Harvey Taylor of Los Angeles, who said the statement “divides, hurts, scapegoats and denies.”

LONDON (RNS) — Anglican bishops from all over the world began the Lambeth Conference this week [07/28/22] amid a furious conflict over same-sex marriage and a scramble by the archbishop of Canterbury and other church leaders to defuse it.

The conference, meeting for the first time in 14 years, was supposed to be an attempt to bring the Anglican Communion together—to pray, listen, and discuss issues that affect the church and the world, such as discipleship, climate change, and poverty. More than 650 bishops registered to attend, including more than 100 from the Episcopal Church. They represent some 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

But outrage erupted in response to documents produced in advance of the conference, which runs through Aug. 8. Some in the liberal wing of the church opposed a reference to the entire Communion being wholly opposed to same-sex marriage.

In response, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby revised the statement and made a last-minute U-turn on how the talks will be conducted.

According to the original documents, called “Lambeth Calls,” marriage is defined as “between a man and a woman,” and the documents go on to say: “It is the mind of the Anglican Communion as a whole that same-gender marriage is not permissible.” The documents also stated that “legitimizing or blessing same-sex unions” cannot be advised.

Bishops and laity in favor of same-sex unions were outraged, among them Bishop John Harvey Taylor of Los Angeles, who said the statement “divides, hurts, scapegoats and denies.” Bishops from the Church in Wales said the call “undermines and subverts the dignity of an integral part of our community, rather than affirming them.”

Read More

Another article on this topic: Australian Anglican Church Splits Over Same-Sex Marriage