His comment caused outrage.
In the United Kingdom, Christians are urging Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign following his remarks endorsing sexual intimacy in same-sex relationships. Critics argue that his statements mark a significant shift away from the Church of England’s traditional teachings on marriage and sexual ethics.
In a recent podcast interview, Welby expressed that sexual intimacy is morally permissible in “stable, committed, and faithful” relationships, irrespective of gender. This viewpoint has drawn ire from Evangelicals within the Church, who accuse him of disregarding established doctrine. The Alliance, a coalition of Church of England groups that uphold biblical sexual ethics, has voiced their concerns to archbishops and bishops, stating that proper constitutional processes were not observed in deviating from the current doctrine or altering liturgy. They believe this signifies a de facto change in doctrine and are in the process of establishing a parallel structure within the Church to support their beliefs, citing inadequate oversight for clergy committed to traditional teachings.
The Church of England’s official doctrine asserts that sexual intercourse should only occur within marriage, defined as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. This position was reaffirmed in 2023’s pastoral guidance for the Prayers of Love and Faith, which emphasizes that sexual intimacy is appropriate only within the context of marriage.
During his podcast appearance on “The Rest is Politics,” Welby responded to a question about whether he believes gay sex is sinful, stating, “All sexual activity should be within a committed relationship, whether it’s straight or gay.” He further proposed that individuals in civil partnerships or same-sex marriages should have the opportunity for a church service of prayer and blessing.
In light of the criticism, Welby’s office issued a statement clarifying his stance. It emphasized that his comments represent his personal views and reflect the evolving perspectives held by him and other bishops regarding sexual intimacy. The statement acknowledged that there is no consensus among bishops on this issue and that the Church is deeply divided. Welby reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that those with traditional beliefs maintain a significant role within the Church of England.
Tim Dieppe, the Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, responded to Welby’s remarks by arguing that those who uphold traditional views are the true representatives of the Church’s teachings. He contended that bishops who deviate from the Church’s clear doctrines should step down, asserting that sincerity alone does not justify their continued leadership within the Church of England.