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Survey set to reveal number of gay clergy in Church of England

by generaldecay | August 10, 2009 at 05:56 am

99 views | 26 Recommendations | 5 comments

A national survey of the number of homosexual clergy in the Church of England will take place this year, according to gay rights campaigners. Inclusive Church, a network of individuals and organisations working for better recognition of minorities, says the survey will be the first of its kind and will prove that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) clergy play a crucial role in the everyday life of the church.

If the Church of England (or any church) maintains its centrality to society in Britain today, then it is important for its members to understand just how pivotal minorities are to its existence. The presence of gay people in the clergy may shock and horrify Conservative-voting, middle England, but this survey is a welcome move for many. Indeed, I hope that its results force the Church of England to look inwardly and to reexamine its hardline stance on homosexuality.

Last month the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, reiterated his opposition to ordaining gay clergy and authorising same-sex blessings, saying they were "at the very least analogous" to Christian marriage and people living in such unions could not "without serious incongruity" have a representative function in a church whose public teaching was "at odds with their lifestyle".

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Pythiian1

at 06:12 on August 10th, 2009

I think it's a healthy move for the Church of England to be transparent. On the other hand, I don't live in the UK, therefore, my opinion is just that....

generaldecay

at 11:35 on August 10th, 2009

Well I do and I think you're right, Pythiian1. :)

Barry Artiste

at 11:53 on August 10th, 2009

in my estimation, probably a whole bunch!

generaldecay

at 12:01 on August 10th, 2009

Barry, if the survey respondents are honest, I would imagine we might all be in for a surprise.

Thanks for the recommendation and comment mate. :)

Roy C

at 12:11 on August 10th, 2009

Why is celibacy out? If you intend to marry, then why the premarital sex, straight or gay? If the rules about sex and marriage and fidelity have changed, should there not be a formal declaration of such by the Episcopal Church?

See, in the Catholic Church, gay priests and nuns are welcome, but they are expected to be celibate. Their sexual identity is not as big of an issue.