Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s recent remarks affirming sexual activity in same-sex relationships have disappointed conservative Anglicans and British evangelicals who want to see the Church of England retain a traditional sexual ethic.
Last week, the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (Gafcon) rebuked Welby for “promoting the sanctification of sin” in breach of Scripture and of church teaching. Gafcon primates asked for him to repent. Other conservatives have called for his resignation.
Welby was asked about his stance on same-sex relations on a popular political podcast in the UK last month and said that “all sexual activity should be within a committed relationship … whether it’s straight or gay.”
Welby’s position as leader of the Anglican Communion puts him in a precarious position when it comes to LGBTQ issues. Many Anglicans around the world, including the Global South, oppose efforts for the church to affirm same-sex relationships, yet the Church of England is moving forward with blessings for same-sex couples.
Welby’s answer about same-sex sexual activity marks another point of division and deep concern.
Gafcon addressed the archbishop’s position in a statement issued on Reformation Day.
“In response to his public comments, we solemnly repeat our call for Archbishop Justin Welby to personally and publicly repent of this denial of his ordination and consecration vows, where he promised to, ‘teach the doctrine of Christ as the Church of England has received it.’”
Evangelicals in the Church of England have also accused the archbishop of contradicting the church’s current position on sexual activity.
“This is a clear departure from CofE doctrine on marriage and sexual ethics, and from the Global Anglican Communion, and from the historic position of every other Christian denomination across the world, and the clear teaching of the Bible,” wrote Tim Dieppe, head of the UK ministry Christian Concern.
Lambeth Palace, the archbishop’s home in London, said that Welby’s thinking around LGBTQ inclusion has evolved through prayer and reflection but that his comments on the podcast reflected “a personal view.”
“His answer does not indicate a changing of teaching from the House of Bishops,” the palace said.
Peter Lynas, the head of the Evangelical Alliance UK, said that’s part of what makes Welby’s stance so frustrating. “In that moment, he redefines the Church of England’s sexual ethic. And yet, he does and he doesn’t, because he can’t,” Lynas said. “The doctrine isn’t ultimately changing.”
On October 20, Welby was asked about the issue of “gay sex” on one of the biggest podcasts in the country, The Rest is Politics, cohosted by a former Conservative Party politician and the spokesman for former prime minister Tony Blair.
Welby told them that the bishops were “by no means unanimous” and the “church is deeply split over this.”
The archbishop went on to say that he has come to believe that sex belongs in a “committed relationship” and that same-sex couples should be able to have their relationships, whether marriages or civil partnerships, blessed by their local churches. He said that such services of prayer and blessing are “a long way” from a church performing a same-sex marriage.
The position he describes—which the Church of England’s General Synod approved last year—has frustrated both sides. Proponents of same-sex marriage want to see full inclusion rather than just prayer services, and those defending traditional marriage believe the proposed blessings for same-sex couples go too far.
Welby has said that he will not perform same-sex blessings, as a way to mitigate the global body’s animosity over the issue. He acknowledged that the clashing views have already resulted in “an enormous breakdown of relationships.”
Gafcon represents 85 percent of the Anglican Communion, and last year, the body officially rejected Welby and the Church of England for failing to guard the faith from leaders who embrace practices that are “contrary to Scripture.”
Evangelicals worry about their future in the church if it continues to move toward LGBTQ affirmation, despite repeated caveats that they still belong.
“Reconciliation requires honesty, and it requires honor,” said Lynas. “I don’t think [Welby] is being honest at all, and I don’t think there’s any honor in the way he’s talking, particularly around the conservatives, and said, ‘Oh, there will still be a place for them.’”
