CEEC has expressed ‘profound concern’ at one of the papers published ahead of February’s meeting of the General Synod.
The paper entitled ‘Living in Love, Faith and Reconciliation’ (GS2346) is being brought to the Synod by the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow.
In response to the paper, Revd Canon John Dunnett, National Director, said:
“CEEC wholeheartedly welcomes the commitment in this paper to pursue openness, humility, honesty and transparency in the Living in Love and Faith process. At the same time, we are profoundly concerned by the many ambiguities in the Commitments, and that the theological underpinning of the ‘reset’ appears to remain that of ‘adiaphora’.
“Most concerningly of all, the Commitment to ‘exploring the process for clergy and lay ministers to enter same-sex civil marriages’ could drive a coach and horses through Church of England doctrine.
“The title ’Living in Love, Faith and Reconciliation’, will appear to many to contradict the need for differentiation. CEEC remains convinced that the maximum degree of unity possible can only be obtained through a robust structural settlement.”
The Church of England’s General Synod will meet from 23-27 February, in London.