Archbishop of Canterbury criticises political attempts to ‘force same-sex marriage’ on Church
The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken of being “threatened with parliamentary action” in an attempt to “force same-sex marriage” into the Church of England.
Speaking at a global Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) meeting in Ghana, Justin Welby also said that “many” members of the General Synod have “dismissed” his concerns about recent reforms.
The archbishop’s comments come after the General Synod – the Church of England’s legislative assembly – passed a motion to allow the blessing of same-sex couples in civil partnerships earlier this month.
It also comes after the Church of England said it would consider alternatives to referring to God as “he” after priests asked to be allowed to use gender-neutral terms instead.
The Church said it would launch a new project in the spring to decide whether to propose changes or not.
In his presidential address to the 18th plenary of the ACC, Welby said “rules about sexuality in the Church of England” have been tabled for discussion as a “result” of growing atheism in the UK.
He told those at the meeting, held in the Ghanian capital Accra, that when he has been approached by Christians who fear that Islam would “take over Europe”, he told them the “greater danger” is posed by a growing number of atheists, who he refers to as “nones”.
“I don’t mean N-U-N-s,” Welby said. “I mean those who when asked about their faith, say: ‘None. I have no faith’.
“The result is clear. In the last few weeks, as part of our discussions about sexuality and the rules around sexuality in the Church of England, I talked of our interdependence with all Christians, not just Anglicans, particularly those in the global south with other faith majorities.
“As a result I was summoned twice to Parliament, and threatened with parliamentary action to force same-sex marriage on us, called in England equal marriage.
“When I speak of the impact that actions by the Church of England will have on those abroad in the Anglican communion, those concerns are dismissed by many, not all, but by many in the General Synod.”
He said in the global north, Christian values of “community and mutual responsibility” have been “almost eliminated” in favour of “individualism”.
“In the UK and in many parts of Europe the majority of people now belong to no faith at all,” he said.
“They are not Christians, they are not Muslims, they are not pagans, they are not Jews, they are not Hindus. They do not belong.”
The archbishop also appeared critical of movements towards greater bodily autonomy and assisted suicide.
“We are in a completely different culture in the financially richer world, to where we were 30 years ago,” he said.
“We’ve replaced morality and Christian faith with personal control over our bodies. Birth with genetically-designed babies is not far away.
“And death is something that so many believe we have a right to choose in the way and at the time we want.
“Even my predecessor but one, George Carey, has spoken strongly in favour of assisted suicide in the Houses of Parliament – in the House of Lords.
“Modern European global north morality is a morality for the wealthy, the powerful and the intellectually well-educated, it is a morality that does not believe in human sinfulness and failure.
“It does not believe in forgiveness, it does not believe in hope.
“This is where the Church struggles.”
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