Synod hears update on Prayers of Love and Faith as concentrated work phase begins

Concentrated drafting work to prepare new pastoral guidance and other material needed for the Prayers of Love and Faith to come into use is getting underway over the next few months, the General Synod has heard.

Synod members spent time scrutinising work which has taken place since the landmark debate in February welcoming proposals to enable same-sex couples to come to church following a civil marriage or civil partnership for prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and for God’s blessing on the two people.

Since February a draft set of texts known as Prayers of Love and Faith have been further refined and work to develop new pastoral guidance for the Church of England and proposals on pastoral reassurance have been underway.

Members of the Steering Group overseeing that work, led by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, and the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, provided an update on progress since February and took questions.

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, and the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, the co-chairs of the Steering Group overseeing the implementation of the rest of the work said:

“We are very grateful to Synod Members for their thoughtful contributions today. It has been good to hear their reflections, and we will take these away to feed into the concentrated drafting work that starts now. We look forward to reconvening in November.”