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1 August 2006
For immediate release
The report that Jeffrey John, Dean of St. Albans, has apparently entered into
a Civil Partnership highlights the absurdity of the Church of England’s
view of such partnerships.
Last year the House of Bishops issued guidelines permitting clergy to enter
into a Civil Partnerships on condition that they give “assurances that
their relationship will be consistent with the teaching set out in Issues in
Human Sexuality”. This means that they must be and continue to be celibate.
(We presume that Dr John gave such assurances if he has entered into a CP.)
However, by allowing clergy to enter Civil Partnerships the Bishops have encouraged
something which is a counterfeit of true marriage and which undermines the
Biblical teaching which Christians follow (see for example Romans chapter 1).
In recent years Church of England reports, including the Bishops Guidelines,
have persistently focused on sexual practice whilst largely ignoring what clergy
teach. It would appear that a clergyman cannot engage in homosexual sex but
he or she can encourage others to do so, which is deeply hypocritical. The
Bible says that those who teach will be more strictly judged (James chapter
3 verse 1).
Church Society has stated consistently that those who teach that homosexual
practice is acceptable should not be in ordained ministry in the Church of
England. We have also called on the Bishops to rescind their guidelines and
reject civil partnerships as contrary to Christian teaching.
ENDS
Pages on Civil
Partnerships
Bishops'
Statement
Church
Society Press Release Sept 2005
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