One of England’s most prestigious cathedrals will participate in the county’s Gay Pride parade, after Durham Cathedral’s governing body gave permission for an LGBT+ banner to be carried during the parade on 26 May.
One staff member said they were ‘shocked’ at the cathedral’s decision. ‘Although it is vital that Christians affirm the humanity and dignity of all people who visit, work at and volunteer at the cathedral, treating them with the utmost respect and courtesy, this is a very concerning move. How can a cathedral that carries the name of Christ and claims to stand for compassion and truth join in a celebration of that which Christ describes as sinful?’ the staff member asked.
Defying scripture
Another worker at the cathedral said: ‘It is shocking that the cathedral is choosing to jettison canon, defy scripture, and step outside the biblical orthodoxy of the global Anglican Communion.’
The Revd Nick Barr-Hamilton, a vicar in Fatfield, has written to Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, informing him that he is considering his relationship with the cathedral and the diocese if it remains silent on the matter. He said: ‘One can be accepting without necessarily acquiescing to this post-modern worldview, as organisations like Living Out, that provide Christian people with real freedom, have shown.’
The Revd Matthew Firth from Darlington, said he was ‘committed to our churches welcoming all people to experience the gospel of Jesus Christ, but the values of Pride are, in general, incompatible with that gospel in terms of how they conflict with Christian doctrine and ethics.’
The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, has not responded to requests for a comment on the matter.
