Orthodox Anglicans Criticize Church in Wales’ Same-Sex Blessing Plans

The Church in Wales is at a crossroads as it considers the future of same-sex blessings, sparking a vigorous debate among its members. A proposed “road map” sets the stage for pivotal decisions following an extensive trial and consultation period.

For the past four years, the Church in Wales allowed same-sex couples in civil partnerships or marriages to receive blessings in church, a move that was extended by a six-month consultation with clergy and parishioners. This process has led the bishops to conclude that the church faces significant decisions regarding these blessings.

A pastoral letter from the bishops indicates that the majority of feedback supports extending equal marriage rights to both traditional and same-sex couples. However, the letter also acknowledges resistance from members who feel such changes conflict with their interpretation of Scripture.

The bishops propose that the Governing Body should decide on making same-sex blessings permanent in April 2026, with future discussions in April 2027 potentially allowing for same-sex marriages within Church in Wales churches. These proposals will include provisions to respect clergy’s freedom of conscience.

However, the proposals have met with criticism. Bishop Andy Lines of the Anglican Network in Europe and Bishop Stuart Bell of the Anglican Convocation Europe expressed their concerns over the “confusion” they believe the bishops are creating. They criticized the pastoral letter’s language, which they argue oversimplifies the issue by contrasting “inclusive love” against “traditional reading of Biblical texts.”

Lines and Bell argue that this framing misrepresents the debate, stating, “Such polarisation of the debate suggests that we are either for Jesus or we are for the Bible. That is a caricature of the truth.” They emphasize that supporting the Bible does not exclude supporting Jesus, and vice versa, citing Jesus’ teachings on marriage.

They also oppose the bishops’ use of the maxim, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things charity,” arguing that it diminishes the importance of the debate. They assert, “It would be ‘non-essential’ if the Bible had nothing to say about it, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) it speaks on the subject at least six times and every time it is negative.”

Lines and Bell further dismiss the notion that making same-sex blessings permanent is not a “church-dividing issue,” pointing out that 85 per cent of the Anglican Communion opposes such changes. They conclude, “In the last four years there has been an alternative orthodox Anglican church in Wales. We are both for Jesus and his inclusive love, and for Jesus’ Bible and its clear teaching.”