In a shocking new development, the Church of England's General Synod voted on Thursday to halt its controversial Living in Love and Freedom process, a multi-year initiative which attempted to broker gay blessing rituals into the life of the declining denomination.
For now, stand alone same-sex union ceremonies remain officially prohibited by the denomination, and clergy are not allowed to marry their gay partners. However, new gender and sexuality working groups will continue the gay debate.
The Synod's ruling left some on the rainbow wing of the Church heartrendingly disappointed, with one priestess, Claire Robson, stating that “the cost to my life and ministry is incalculable … Hopes have been dashed and apologies rendered meaningless.” Rev. Charlie Bączyk-Bell said his “heart was broken.” Here xhe is, in full rainbow weepdown (fwd to end):
Charlie Bączyk-Bell, a queer Anglican priest, absolutely GOES OFF and RIPS into the CoE yesterday at Synod, foaming with unrighteous indignation before breaking into pathetic tears at the end.
— Protestia (@Protestia) February 13, 2026
"How DARE we come again to this place to lament and recognize distress and pain… pic.twitter.com/CdiJTY4xXd
How long will the Church of England and its Sinod be able to resist such impassioned pleas for gayness? Will clergy persyns get gay married anyway in rainbow defiance of Church law? Will there even be a Church of England by the time its new sex studies groups have stopped talking? If not, that's one problem solved, Net Zero carbon emissions from the UK's shrinking national Church.
Cheers,
LSP
