Written question asked by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 23 October 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 October 2023. It was answered by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 October 2023 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Clergy: Marriage

Question: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether there are recorded majorities in the (a) House and (b) College of Bishops to (i) allow clergy to enter into same-sex civil marriages and (ii) remove the stipulation that currently requires celibacy for clergy in same-sex relationships.

Answer: The proceedings of these meetings of the House of Bishops and College of Bishops, including details of votes, are confidential. Both the College and the House decided that further work should be done on allowing clergy to enter into same sex marriages, and on the stipulation that currently requires celibacy for clergy in same-sex relationships. It is stated in the General Synod papers (GS2328 and annexes: gs-2328-llf-nov-2023.pdf (churchofengland.org) ), that there is ‘further work on the Ministry elements of the Pastoral Guidance including on clergy in same-sex marriages’. It is hoped that this work will be done as quickly as is possible.

Secondary information