The Bishop of Newcastle has resigned from her function within the Church of England's Dwelling in Love and Religion (LLF) course of following the appointment of a Conservative vicar as interim theological adviser to the Home of Bishops.
The LLF is the Church of England's ongoing technique of discernment on identification, sexuality, relationships and marriage, which final yr led to Normal Synod approving plans to introduce prayers of blessing for same-sex {couples}.
Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, a champion of LGBT equality within the Church of England, co-chaired the LLF with the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, who’s to stay in workplace.
The Bishop of Newcastle stated he was stepping down over issues in regards to the course of that led to the appointment of the Reverend Dr. Tom Woolford as non permanent theological adviser to the Home of Bishops.
“Over the previous 48 hours it has change into clear to me that there are critical issues surrounding the latest technique of appointing an Interim Theological Adviser to the Home of Bishops. This was and isn’t an LLF appointment and neither Bishop Martyn nor myself had been concerned,” she stated.
“Whereas the remit of the theological advisor is broader than any issues regarding the LLF, there is no such thing as a doubt that the LLF stays entrance and heart within the lifetime of our Church at the moment.
“What has occurred within the final 48 hours has had a critically detrimental impression on the work that Bishop Martyn and I’ve been making an attempt to do in good religion. my main calling is to guide and take care of folks and locations within the Diocese of Newcastle.”
She continued: “I’m absolutely dedicated to the calling and lifetime of the Church of England, its place in our various communities throughout this nation and within the wider Anglican Communion. Conscious of the differing views inside my very own diocese, I’m additionally absolutely dedicated to the total inclusion of LGBTQIA+ folks. I don't imagine they're mutually unique, and I'm not naïve once I say that.'
The Religion and Order Fee acknowledged that Dr. Woolford, a vicar within the Diocese of Blackburn, was appointed following an “open and aggressive recruitment course of”.
She’s going to take over on an interim foundation from Dr Isabelle Hamley, who’s leaving on the finish of February to change into Principal of Ridley Corridor, Cambridge.
A everlasting successor shouldn’t be anticipated to be in workplace till September.
The Church of England stated Bishop Snow was “in discussions with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in regards to the future form of the management crew”.
Following Hartley's resignation, Bishop Snow stated the co-leading bishops for the LLF “should be concerned within the appointment of future theological advisors.
“I took on the function of Co-Main Bishop for the Life in Love and Religion course of out of a way of name to construct bridges and reconciliation – each for their very own sake and as a vital a part of our Christian witness. In my place for the previous few days, that feeling of calling stays,” he stated.
“Nevertheless, I notice that belief and confidence within the Dwelling in Love and Religion course of is low and that I can’t rebuild that belief or achieve the belief of the entire breadth of the Church of England by myself.”
He stated the Archbishops of Canterbury and York must appoint a successor “who instructions related respect throughout the Home of Bishops and the Normal Synod”.
