All General Synod articles
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OpinionThe Church must hear the voices of Palestinian Christians like me
The Church of England has voted to ‘hear’ a controversial document on Palestinian Christians. Jack Nassar says he’s glad the church engaged with Kairos Palestine II. Whether you agree with it or not, the lived experience of Palestinian Christians deserves the dignity of being heard and believed, he says
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OpinionWhen clergy break the rules on same-sex marriage, they should face consequences
The Church of England’s teaching on marriage and sexuality has not changed. But Susie Leafe notes that when its own priests break the rules, some bishops bring congratulations cards and champagne rather than correction and discipline. She says the inconsistency must stop before it becomes an incoherent mess
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OpinionThe CofE reparation fund is one step towards repenting for the sins of slavery
Rev George Pitcher used to think it was silly to say sorry for historical actions over which you had no control. Here’s what changed his mind
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OpinionWhy the Church of England has got Israel wrong
The UK’s Jewish community needs to know that the Archbishop of Canterbury’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict do not speak for all British Christians. That’s according to Dr James Patrick of the Love Never Fails alliance, who says both yesterday’s General Synod vote endorsing Kairos Palestine II and Sarah Mullally’s pastoral letter following her visit to the Holy Land, risk deepening divisions and presenting a one-sided account of the conflict
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News AnalysisCan ex-gay Christians tell their stories?
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said a controversial meeting sharing the stories of ex-gay Christians can go ahead at next week’s General Synod - but a exhibition stand promoting it cannot. Tim Wyatt explains why some members think it is a safeguarding issue - and why ongoing debates about sexuality are still causing issues
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OpinionTo succeed as leaders, Starmer and Mullally need integrity
Whether in the Church or in politics, trust is earned and every structure is only as strong as it’s weakest link, says Rev George Pitcher
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OpinionWhy I’m pleased about the CofE’s reversal on same-sex marriage
The House of Bishops appears to have reversed direction in the Church of England’s long-standing debate about sexuality and marriage. Dr Ian Paul says following proper procedure is the least bishops can do - and should cause hard questions to be asked about what has already happened
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OpinionExplained: Why it’s taking so long to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury
The election of Pope Leo XIV has focused attention on another Church in need of a new leader. Yet what took the Catholic Church just two weeks will take the CofE almost a year. Why does it take so long, and what has gone wrong already? Tim Wyatt offers his guide to the appointment of the next ABC
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OpinionThe CofE cannot mark its own homework when it comes to safeguarding
To the bewilderment of many, the General Synod has voted against transferring oversight of its safeguarding to an independent body, a decision that George Pitcher says has shown it is well past time to purge the CofE of its hypocrisy
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Opinion7 ways to make the Church a safer place for everyone
It will take more than Justin Welby’s resignation to prevent abuse in the Church, says Susie Leafe. We all need to play our part
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News AnalysisExplained: CofE approves gay blessings for a three-year trial
General Synod has agreed to trial standalone services of blessing for gay couples, as well as concessions for parishes who do not wish to use them. Meanwhile, discussions continue around marriage for gay vicars. The margins are tiny, says Tim Wyatt, but both sides seem as far apart as ever. Is it only a matter of time before schism occurs?
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OpinionWhy don’t people trust the Church of England? (Clue: social media isn’t to blame)
If the Church of England wants to restore trust, it needs to earn it, says George Pitcher. Social media is not the problem, it’s the lack of transparency in dealing with the hard issues
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OpinionSynod’s same-sex discussions are still stuck
Yet there were some glimmers of hope, says Rev Jago Wynne. Here’s what a way forward for the CofE might look like
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OpinionThe Church of England must repent. It’s the only way to stop the decline
As the church’s governing body prepares for another round of debates over same-sex relationships and the decision to host raves in cathedrals causes consternation, Tim Dieppe suggests that radical repentance is the only way to stop the rot
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OpinionThe CofE has lost the trust of church abuse survivors
Following the furore caused by the CofE’s decision to disband the Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) this summer, a review into what went wrong has now been published. But until the Church accepts that it has lost the trust of survivors and victims, there can be no moving forward, says Gavin Drake
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OpinionWhy sex outside marriage is not a salvation issue
Our understanding of God’s unconditional love is at the heart of division in the Church over sex and sexuality, says Jayne Ozanne. Jesus’ love for us may lead us to repent of sin, but it isn’t conditional on us doing so
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OpinionWhy sex outside marriage is a salvation issue
Christians can’t agree to disagree on sexual ethics, says John Stevens. There’s too much at stake
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OpinionCofE leaders are ‘walking together’ into sin. It’s a bad joke
The true doctrine of marriage cannot be changed, regardless of how the Church of England’s general synod votes, says Andrea Williams. But things are about to get harder for churches and ministers with traditional views on marriage and sexuality
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OpinionWhy I won’t quit the CofE despite the chaos over same-sex relationships
Services of blessings for gay couples were narrowly approved for a trial period at the Church of England’s General Synod yesterday, amid heated debate. Here, Ed Shaw, a celibate, gay minister in the CofE, reflects on the decision and why he’ll continue to campaign for orthodox teaching on sex and marriage to be retained
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OpinionWhy I still believe the Church of England’s prayers for same-sex couples won’t work
The theological rationale published by CofE bishops in support of their proposed prayers to bless same-sex couples contain welcome honesty, says Sean Doherty. But the pastoral guidance is still fatally flawed and pleases neither side, he says
