The Church of England is set to host a controversial fringe event at its General Synod, spotlighting ex-gay Christians, despite pressure from some quarters to cancel it. The decision by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York has sparked debate within the church community.
Among the speakers at the event is Matthew Grech, who was recently acquitted in Malta of charges related to promoting ‘conversion practices’ after discussing his personal journey away from homosexuality on a radio show. Joining him is Mike Davidson, who chairs the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), an organization that supports therapy for those with unwanted same-sex attraction.
These fringe events are independently organized by members of the Synod and are not part of the official agenda. However, the session titled “People Change: Sexual Identity Transformation” has drawn strong reactions, particularly from the church’s progressive members. Rev Dr Charlie Bączyk-Bell, an openly gay priest, expressed his discontent on X by calling the event “disgusting” and “astonishing.”
In response to a letter from several church revisionists calling for the event’s cancellation, the Archbishops initially threatened to cancel the event due to concerns about safeguarding and alignment with the church’s ethos. These powers allow them to refuse meetings that could harm the church’s reputation or contradict its principles.
Event host Rebecca Hunt defended the inclusion of the speakers, arguing that their experiences do not constitute abusive ‘conversion therapy.’ She emphasized the importance of open discussions about pastoral support and counseling within the church.
Christian Concern, whose CEO Andrea Williams is another speaker, expressed alarm at the potential cancellation. Williams criticized the decision as a form of censorship, arguing that such actions threaten open discourse within the church.
Ultimately, the Archbishops relented, allowing the fringe event to proceed but blocking an associated exhibition stand. A Church of England spokesperson clarified that the decision was made to prevent a public statement contrary to the church’s stance on conversion therapies, which was established in 2017.
As the UK government considers banning conversion therapy, the Church of England has expressed reservations about the draft proposals. Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, raised concerns in the House of Lords over potential legislative impacts on legitimate pastoral care.
Other Christian organizations, such as the Evangelical Alliance and The Christian Institute, have also opposed the government’s plans. Meanwhile, the General Synod is set to debate a motion affirming that committed same-sex relationships can be compatible with Christian discipleship.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
