Following the February 2017 Group of Sessions, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued a letter on 16th February outlining their proposals for continuing to address, as a church, questions concerning human sexuality.
The Archbishops committed themselves and the House of Bishops to the development of a substantial teaching document on the subject. Further information was provided in a paper from the Archbishops published in June 2017, ‘Next Steps in Human Sexuality’ (GS Misc 1158).
Work towards the production of the episcopal teaching document is being overseen by a Co-Ordinating Group chaired by the Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth.
The Pastoral Advisory Group is chaired by the Bishop of Newcastle, Christine Hardman.
Next Steps on Human Sexuality
Following the February 2017 Group of Sessions, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued a letter on 16th February outlining their proposals for continuing to address, as a church, questions concerning human sexuality. The Archbishops committed themselves and the House of Bishops to two new strands of work: the creation of a Pastoral Advisory Group and the development of a substantial Teaching Document on the subject. This paper outlines progress toward the realisation of these two goals.
Pastoral Advisory Group
As Archbishops we will be establishing a Pastoral Oversight group led by the Bishop of Newcastle, with the task of supporting and advising Dioceses on pastoral actions with regard to our current pastoral approach to human sexuality. The group will be inclusive, and will seek to discern the development of pastoral practices, within current arrangements.
Archbishops’ letter, February 16th 2017
Aim
Supporting and advising Dioceses on pastoral actions, i.e. engagement, inclusion, and pastoral care, with regard to the current pastoral approach of the Church to human sexuality, with a particular (but not exclusive) focus on same-sex couples.
Responsibilities
Reviewing, and as needed revising, advice provided by the House of Bishops on pastoral ministry to same-sex couples in Church of England congregations, such ministry being understood to include prayer offered by clergy and licensed lay minsters.