Diocese of Newcastle Bishop Helen-Ann’s Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod
[This address refers to a motion on LLF at Newcastle diocesan synod; the motion is copied below the fold.]
Surviving Church A reply to Anon’s Reflections on the Safeguarding Failures and Delays in the C/E highlighted by the Charity Commission
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered Four Last Things
Motion at Newcastle diocesan synod on 29 November; it was carried by 48 votes to 9, with 3 abstentions.
Progressing Living in Love and Faith
In the light of the announcement by the House of Bishops on 15th October 2025 regarding the future of Living in Love and Faith which did not commit to a timeline for enacting the decisions of General Synod in February and November 2023 (GS2328 and LLF Motion, as amended), I move that this Synod:
1. Laments the further hurt and pain that has been experienced by LGBTQI+ people as a result of the House of Bishops announcement on 15th October 2025, which appears inconsistent with the House of Bishops’ apology issued on 14th February 2023 for the harm that LGBTQI+ people have experienced in the life of the Church and indicates a lack of commitment to a vision of radical Christian inclusion.
2. Calls upon the House of Bishops to:
i) Offer leadership and direction that honours the inclusive majority of the Church of England and truly values LGBTQI+ people as beloved children of God.
ii) Confirm that it would be open to any priest, relying on Canon B.5.2, and on the good will of their Diocesan Bishop, to use a form of standalone service of thanksgiving and prayer for a same sex couple asking for such.
iii) Quantify and publish a risk assessment, taking account of likelihood and impact, of a successful legal challenge to ii) under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure (EJM), 1963.
iv) Commence the process of authorising standalone services of thanksgiving and prayer for same sex couples under Canon B.2 and in line with the indicative timeline contained in the legal advice received on this matter (GS Misc 1432)
v) As a matter of urgency, introduce the legislative measures that would allow clergy to enter into same sex civil marriage and in line with the timescales set out in the legal advice received.