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The Prayers of Love and Faith were authorised for use in regular services of worship with effect from December 2023. We are aware that some clergy and parishes across the Church of England are delighted to be able to use them, and for others they continue to be a source of pain and conflict. As we are all acutely aware, strongly held convictions on every side cannot easily be reconciled.
Those painful disagreements that exist across the whole Church were reflected in all that we heard at the meetings held in the early part of 2024, and in Iocal conversations across the Diocese.
For some, these apparently irreconcilable differences require separation. That is a demand being made at a national level, and by some in our diocese.
Amongst the Bishops and within the Bishop’s Leadership Team there is, as has been said before, a wide range of views on these issues, none of which can be neatly compartmentalised. We are however united in our desire to hold together and provide leadership to the diocese in unity without separation despite these differences. We believe, whilst acknowledging some do not, that we can travel well together whilst disagreeing on these issues.
The need for reassurance
There are fears and anxieties that have been expressed by some on both sides of the PLF debate which we as a leadership team need to address head on. We also recognise that the ongoing process at General Synod creates its own uncertainty, and we will endeavour to respond in a timely but considered way to new developments including any developments relating to the use of freestanding services using the PLF prayers which are not currently permitted.
Separation and structural differentiation
It follows from what we have said that we are committed to doing all we can to hold the diocese together without structural differentiation and we will not at this stage offer alternative provision outside the formal structures of the diocese. If, in due course, General Synod approves some form of delegated oversight or structural change, we will of course work with parishes locally to discern how we might operate within that national framework.
Clarity around Pastoral Guidance and PLF
We understand that there is still uncertainty in some quarters about the use of PLF, and concerns about how to approach the conversation within parishes. We commend to all clergy and lay leaders the ‘Living in Love and Faith Pastoral Guidance’ (the ‘Pastoral Guidance’), which can be found here.
The document merits careful reading by all clergy and lay leaders. As well as setting out clearly the approach that Incumbents might take when reaching a decision – and the protection provided for the decisions taken by incumbents – there is significant helpful guidance on approaching conversations in the parish about the PLF prayers and how any decision will be implemented.
It is important when taking decisions that the Pastoral Guidance is read in its most up to date version. Demonstrating compliance with the Pastoral Guidance will be important in responding to complaints.
We are seeking to identify future resource able to work with clergy, lay leaders and PCCs as they engage with any process of discernment and decision around the use of PLF where this might be helpful. In the interim period, if you have any questions regarding the Pastoral Guidance, or would like support in taking forward conversations with external facilitation, please contact your Archdeacon in the first instance.
Support and Reassurance for clergy who will not be using PLF
Each of our Bishops and Archdeacons are fully committed to work with and support clergy and parishes who choose not to use the PLF.
We are clear that a decision not to use the prayers is a valid and respected position that will be fully supported by the Bishops and the Bishop’s Leadership Team in this diocese. Those who choose not to offer the prayers are equally valued members of the diocese and a decision not to use the PLF prayers will not impact on future roles or progression.
Particular concerns have been expressed about the handling of complaints, the threat of protest action and of litigation. Our diocesan teams will actively support clergy or parishes both through the decision making process around PLF to ensure the Pastoral Guidance is observed (which itself should greatly minimise the risk of complaints), and in the event of problems arising once a decision has been taken. Please also see the note on Clergy Discipline and Terms of Service Legal Protection policy below.
Archdeacons will ensure there is support for those who are in parishes where the decision not to use the PLF is likely to or may cause conflict locally to enable clergy to manage that conflict whilst maintaining their own theological integrity.
Support and Reassurance for clergy who will be using PLF
Each of our Bishops and Archdeacons are also fully committed to work with and support clergy and parishes who do choose to use the PLF, from whom similar anxieties about the handling of complaints, protest action and litigation have been expressed. This includes those who find themselves leading multiple churches where there are differing opinions among PCC members and wider congregations.
We are clear that a decision to use the prayers is a valid and respected position that will be fully supported by the Bishop’s Leadership Team in this diocese. Those who choose to offer the prayers are equally valued members of the diocese and a decision to use the PLF prayers will not impact on future roles or progression.
Our diocesan teams will actively support clergy or parishes both through the decision making process around PLF to ensure the Pastoral Guidance is observed (which itself should greatly minimise the risk of complaints), and in the event of problems arising once a decision has been 3 taken. Please also see the note on Clergy Discipline and Terms of Service Legal Protection policy below.
Archdeacons will ensure there is support for those who are in parishes where the use of the PLF is likely to or may cause conflict locally to enable clergy to manage that conflict whilst maintaining their own theological integrity.
Vocational discernment, training and ordination
Our commitment to leading the Diocese in unity extends to fully valuing and affirming those from across our different traditions and theological perspectives. We are committed to encouraging vocations to ordained ministry and licensed lay ministry from across the spectrum of traditions in the diocese.
We continue to reflect on requests made to provide alternative ordination services for those with particular theological views separate from those already provided for in canon law. We are not yet in a place where we are able to agree to separate ordinations but are committed to ensure, with your support, that those involved in vocational discernment include individuals from varied traditions within the church.
Anyone with any specific concerns in this area of our diocesan life should contact the Dean of Ministry Mission and Education in the first instance.
Handling Enquiries
In order to avoid misunderstanding, it may be helpful, once discussions have taken place, for your church to have a clear statement of its position on using the PLF which is used to respond to those seeking their use or making a general enquiry. Clarity and pastoral sensitivity, as ever, will be key to minimising hurt and the risk of complaint where clergy and churches choose not to offer the PLF prayers. The Pastoral Guidance suggests that offering the details of another local church that does offer the PLF, or to a deanery or diocesan point of contact (either the Area Dean or Archdeacon), would be helpful and appropriate.
The following might be used by churches or clergy who are not offering the PLF:
‘Thank you for your enquiry. As you may be aware, the Church of England has only recently made it possible for clergy who choose to do so to offer prayers for couples in same sex relationships as part of regular services. We are not a church that has adopted those new ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ but we can put you in touch with xxxx the minister at yyyyyy who are using the prayers and will be able to help with your enquiry.'
If you are not aware of a local church that may be able to assist with an enquiry, please contact your Area Dean or Archdeacon.
Addressing Differences of Opinion
Many of our churches will include those with a whole range of views on use of the PLF materials. Whilst it has been a significant pre-occupation for clergy and church leaders over these past years, some congregation members will be unaware of the differences of opinion and the theology underpinning them. We commend to all our churches the LLF material and Section 2 of the Pastoral Guidance which offers very helpful advice about making transparent decision locally and modelling honesty, clarity and respect in teaching.
Disagreement and Conflict
Where clergy anticipate or experience conflict in their particular contexts, whether at parish or deanery level, or indeed with the Senior Staff, we want to offer constructive support and engagement. Please discuss issues early with your Area Dean or Archdeacon.
Clergy Discipline and Terms of Service Legal Protection policy
Many of you will be aware of Ecclesiastical Insurance’s ‘Clergy Discipline and Terms of Service Legal Protection policy’. It is available to all clergy and has long been recommended as a ‘must have’ for Archdeacons in particular. However much support the Diocese wishes to give in this area of our community life, we recognise that there is the potential for unfounded claims and complaints to be made against individuals that require specific professional and personal advice that the Diocese may not be equipped or able to provide.
For additional comfort, we invite all clergy to consider taking out such a policy with Ecclesiastical Insurance (other providers may be available). The cost of the policy (currently £38 per year) is an allowable expense. If your financial circumstances make such a payment challenging, please approach your Archdeacon who may be able to support an appropriate grant application.
Final Thoughts and Observations
We know that, on every side of the church, there is deep engagement with the theological questions that underpin the different approaches to the PLF. There are also significant frustrations and not a little anger. As a Bishop’s Leadership Team we are grateful for the spirit of positive engagement that has characterised the meetings we have held together and encouraged to see that churches with diverging opinions have already worked out patterns of working together in their local communities in ways that the Pastoral Guidance commends.
It is our hope and prayer as the General Synod work continues, that those with different views will continue to talk honestly and openly with one another, developing opportunities for mutual understanding, and seeking to think well and assume the best of one another when it comes to what lies behind the different views.
Bishop Guli and the Bishop’s Leadership Team
Diocese of Chelmsford 30th
January 2025