The Church of England’s House of Bishops has issued a statement on Living in Love and Faith (9 pages).
There is also a covering press release which is copied in full below.
House of Bishops shares letter to the Church as Living in Love and Faith approaches conclusion
14/01/2026
The House of Bishops has shared a letter to the wider Church of England setting out an agreed position as it prepares to bring the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process – which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage – to a conclusion.
The letter, in the form of a statement from the House, speaks about proposed new bodies to be set up once LLF comes to a conclusion; confirms an agreed approach to any further changes and rules out so-called Delegated Episcopal Ministry at this stage.
Following a General Synod vote in February 2023, same-sex couples can now receive public prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessing – known as the Prayers of Love and Faith (or PLF) – as part of a regular church service.
At a meeting today, the House confirmed the decision taken at its meeting in October that, based on legal advice, new special or ‘bespoke’ services using Prayers of Love and Faith would need full formal authorisation under canon law.
They also acknowledged that general permission for clergy to be in a same-sex civil marriage would require a formal legislative process and agreed to explore what legislation would be needed.
And they made clear they could not agree to placing some parishes under the care of bishops with “separate and independent jurisdiction” as a result of the Prayers of Love and Faith at this stage.
The bishops’ letter details how a new working group would carry out the theological and legislative preparatory work needed and report back to the new General Synod – which will be elected later this year – with recommendations within the first two years after the election.
The House recognised and regretted the deep hurt, particularly to LGBTQI+ people, caused by the decisions.
It agreed a letter to the Church, bringing LLF and the process initiated by the February 2023 Synod vote to a formal conclusion and setting out steps to be taken next. A vote of bishops to issue the letter achieved overwhelming consensus across traditions and the range of theological views on questions of sexuality and marriage.
Those steps include establishing a Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group to support the House of Bishops and enable it to:
Engage in preparatory work and explore the approval process under Canon B2 that would be necessary for bespoke services of Prayers of Love and Faith;
Explore what legislative changes would be required to enable clergy to enter same-sex marriage;
Continue to explore what pastoral episcopal provision and reassurance would be required, proportionate to any further proposed changes;
Report back to General Synod with recommendations within the first two years following the upcoming elections.
A new Pastoral Consultative Group will also be set up to advise bishops and archdeacons on specific cases in the interim and facilitate consistent practice across the Church.
“We dare to hope that the LLF process will leave a legacy of greater inclusion of LGBTQI+ people in the life of the Church of England, together with deeper understanding of the theological issues and greater honesty about, and tolerance of, individual differences,” the letter explains.
Speaking of the need for careful consideration of next steps, it adds: “Lessons need to be learned from the process of the last three years.
“It is important to avoid a further cycle of hopes or anxieties being raised only to be disappointed.”
Detailing the process the Church has undergone since the 2023 Synod motion, including the introduction of Prayers of Love and faith, the bishops write: “We believe we have fulfilled, albeit imperfectly, the February 2023 General Synod motion as best we can given the range of views across the Church of England, including replacing Issues in Human Sexuality after the July 2025 Synod motion, without departing from or indicating any departure from the Church’s doctrine of marriage.
“We believe, as a House, that the time has now come formally to conclude this Synodical process in February 2026 and to identify the next stages of work which will need to be considered by the House of Bishops and the General Synod in the coming years, including the ongoing structures for development, dialogue and discernment.”
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: “Living in Love and Faith was never meant to be a contest with winners and losers yet, because it touches upon such profound theological convictions and personal lived experience, many have felt it to be this way and many have been hurt and confused.
“As we take stock of where we have got to so far and all the things that still need to be explored in the future, my prayer is that we can come together as those whose profound disagreement on some things is outweighed by our profound love for God and for each other on so many things.
“As this stage of the journey comes to an end, we look forward, honouring one another’s integrity, and seeking Christ’s wisdom with patience and humility.”
The Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen, said: “I’m aware that the process of LLF has been very fraught and I’m sorry that it has caused both pain and some anger amongst many.
“I know too that we are not now where many would want us to be – but I think the place we’re in now is a place of commitment to due and proper process: and that really matters.
“We are – and we need to be – a properly ordered Church.”
The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, said: “I know that many, including in my own Diocese, were deeply distressed by the decisions indicated by the House of Bishops in October last year, and confirmed today.
“But after two years in which, as our statement says, on the one hand ‘hopes have repeatedly been raised and dashed’, and on the other ‘anger has mounted at the perceived disregard for due process’, I am certain that it is right to pause, to take stock and to ensure any future movement in relation to these contested steps follows robust good process and is accompanied by proportionate pastoral provision.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, said: “I profoundly regret where we have ended up and know that these decisions will be very painful for many, especially LGBTQI+ people and all those who hoped for greater progress – indeed I am one of them.
“I know it will feel to some that the Church has gone backwards in recent years, not forward. At the same time, I want to recognise that some progress has been made in that prayers of blessing for same-sex couples in committed relationships have been commended for use in public worship for the first time.
“Whilst I believe there is no theological distinction between prayers of blessing being offered in scheduled services or bespoke services, further progress at this stage would have meant agreeing to special arrangements, including separate episcopal structures, which I could not support. Such changes would result in the fracturing of our common life and the undermining of our Anglican identity.
“I will continue to advocate for more progress, recognising that there are others who will disagree. Meanwhile, I urge us all to be gentle and kind towards one another, refusing to judge each other, uniting in our common purpose to love God and neighbour and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action.”
The Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North, said: “The LLF process has caused immense pain on all sides because the matters it concerns carry us to the heart of what it means to be human and what it is to be Christian.
“After a great deal of praying and reflecting together, the House of Bishops has agreed that we want to avoid fragmentation and travel together as one Body for the sake of our mission to the nation.
“This means that when we are making big decisions about what we believe, we need to use General Synod’s established processes to discern God’s will.
“For some we have not gone far enough, for others we have already gone too far. My prayer is that we can stay together for the sake of the people we are called to serve.”
The Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, said: “I am very grateful to all those who have engaged with the LLF process over many years and at considerable personal cost.
“I am thankful that some progress has been made towards greater understanding and inclusion of LGBTQI+ sisters and brothers through Prayers of Love and Faith.
“In my own view the Church of England still has some distance to travel on this journey in the coming years.
“The House of Bishops statement published today is honest about the different views held across the Church in good conscience and expresses a commitment and an appeal to all to continue to walk and work together for deeper understanding.
“The statement also outlines the next stages in dialogue and a clear process for making decisions into the future.”
Notes to Editors
The House of Bishops voted to issue the statement as follows:
For: 35 Against: 1 Abstentions: 4