The Church of England press release issued on 15 October 2025 told us that the House of Bishops had made a series of key decisions on the future direction of the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process.

This confident proclamation has been thrown into a degree of turmoil by the publication of the four General Synod papers, 1429, 1430, 1431 and 1432 on the nature of doctrine, the doctrine of marriage, the exercise of discipline and LLF legal advice.

The commentaries on these documents posted by Peter Collier KC, retired Senior Circuit Judge and former Vicar-General of the Province of York and Fr Charlie Baczyk-Bell conclude that clergy are perfectly within their rights to continue blessing the relationships of lesbian and gay couples in church in stand-alone services or in the context of other services because there is pretty much zero chance of legal action being taken against such priests.

Blessings in church now

The public blessing of same-sex relationships, civil partnerships and equal marriage can be celebrated in churches now, without waiting for the House of Bishops to approve services. We can pursue this goal ahead of the equally important ultimate goal of changing the Marriage Canons to allow equal marriage in church.

The progressive majority in the Church of England and the progressive networks arguing and campaigning for change need to take the initiative and organise ourselves to do the work.
Those of us wanting to change the narrative now have to be an active part of the solution.
We need to form a network of churches and congregations, priests and leaders, prepared to advertise that we are now able to publicly bless same-sex relationships of cohabiting, civil-partnered and married couples in church using appropriate bespoke liturgies.
Ignore the legal advice to the House of Bishops explains that legislation to authorise bespoke services under Canon B2 would require two thirds majorities in the three houses of Synod at final approval.
Follow the advice of Peter Collier KC, retired Senior Circuit Judge. After the House reaches a final decision in December, it would be open to any priest relying on Canon B 5.2 to use a form of service considered suitable by them as a service of thanksgiving and prayer for a couple. Canon B5 allows a priest to use such forms of service as are considered suitable by them for the occasion. There is a strong argument for saying that a priest properly applying canon law cannot be forbidden from so doing. Charlie Baczyk-Bell has also advised that clergy need to take back the initiative and act under the provisions of Canon B5.
Peter Collier KC also outlines in detail why it is extremely unlikely that a complaint would ever be processed, the requirements being so complex and expensive, rendering the threat of legal proceedings very unlikely.

Strategy

We use all of our present resources to develop a network of churches, congregations and clergy prepared to hold services of blessing for same sex couples who are co-habiting, in a civil partnership or married.

We, LGBTQIA+ people and allies, are the primary resource. Integral to the strategy are, of course, progressive organisations and networks and the clergy and churches already open to taking services of blessing for same-sex couples.

The aim is to organise, develop, encourage and resource a network of clergy and parishes in every diocese publicly declaring that they are open to celebrate the blessing of same sex couples.

You are an integral part of the solution

You, reading this blog, have a voice and a conviction. You can do things to create the change we are being denied by the House of Bishops and the LLF process. Engage with your local clergy, congregation, friends, PCC, Churchwardens and allies. Ask them to join you in committing your local church to as fully inclusive an agenda as is possible including the public blessing of same-sex relationships.

Take courage yourselves from the courage shown by the Deans of Canterbury, Southwark and Salisbury in writing and preaching about the transformative vision we share and the isolation and abuse we endure. You are part of the greatest resource in the Church of England – people with vision and a passion for the Gospel proclaiming the inclusive good news of life in all its fulness.

Progressive organisations are an integral part of the solution

Together

The Together network of diocesan contacts is an important resource for developing support between churches wanting to offer public blessings now. Some dioceses, including London, have already developed a diocesan group.

Inclusive Church

The national network of inclusive churches is the most obvious resource for churches already committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people and wanting to affirm their inclusive ministry by publicly offering services of blessing. The open letter signed by over 6000 clergy and lay members of the Church of England expresses deep disappointed by the recent decisions of the House of Bishops regarding the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) and by the continued absence of a clear pathway for clergy to enter same-sex marriages.

Open Table Network

The Open Table Network is a growing partnership of communities 37 in England holding monthly meetings https://opentable.lgbt/our-communities in an increasing number of dioceses. These communities are well placed to encourage their members to explore the possibility of the churches to which they belong offering services of blessing.

The Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England
Christians for LGBTQIA+ Equality
Changing Attitude England

These three groups each have a Facebook group: Christians for LGBTQIA+ Equality, Changing Attitude England , EQUAL. EQUAL also has a website.

The groups are a vital resource providing information and encouragement to people seeking to become more directly involved locally in the creation of a network of parishes offering blessings.

ViaMedia News ViaMedia.News is a weekly or bi-weekly blog that has the backing of some of the most senior figures in the Church of England. It features a range of posts, from the highly personal to the more academic, in order to prompt a deeper level of reflection on many issues of faith and of the wider world.

Accepting Evangelicals is a network of Evangelical Christians promoting a more accepting and affirming attitude to same-sex relationships and LGB&T people. The group has a Facebook page and a profile on the OBOF website.

Student Christian Movement The vision is of SCM as a generous community, expressing a lived faith in Jesus Christ where social action meets prayerful devotion. They seek to be both a radical voice for equality and justice, and a safe home for progressive Christian students.

WATCH (Women and the Church) WATCH are campaigning for the simple principle that women and men should be treated equally in the Church of England, our national church.

OneBodyOneFaith OneBodyOneFaith is a dynamic grassroots charity that enables LGBT+ Christians and advocates for change within the church, ecumenically and intentionally in partnership with likeminded organisations.

Modern Church Modern Church is an international society promoting liberal Christian theology. They encourage open, respectful debate on Christian faith. Founded in 1898 as an Anglican society, they welcome all who share their ethos, work ecumenically to encourage non-dogmatic approaches to Christianity and support liberal voices in our churches.

Tasks for your local church

Ensure the commitment of your own church to the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people is visibly communicated on the website; internal and external notice boards, the weekly pew sheet, leaflets on the information table.
Check and update if necessary your church’s entry on the Inclusive Church website
Check and update (almost certainly necessary!) your church’s entry on A Church Near You

The Future - Equal marriage and married clergy

The campaign to enable same-sex marriage to be solemnised in the Church of England and clergy in same-sex relationships or civil partnerships to marry is being overseen by the Together/EQUAL/Inclusive Church campaign in General Synod ultimately requiring a vote for change followed by a lengthy parliamentary process. To achieve this goal Together, EQUAL and Inclusive Church are campaigning to ensure a sufficient majority of progressive candidates are elected to Synod next year. Together is actively fundraising with Inclusive Church to support the election of inclusive people to the General Synod in the 2026 elections to help the Church become more diverse and inclusive in how it operates.

Repost and get involved

Please repost this blog on your own Facebook page to ensure it communicates the vision of a campaign to extend the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the Church of England to maximum effect.

You are part of the greatest resource in the Church of England – we the people; people with vision and a passion for the Gospel proclaiming the inclusive good news of Jesus Christ who invites us to celebrate and live life in all its fulness.