The Church of England’s liberalisation on the issue of sexuality is set to accelerate, a leading evangelical is warning.
In a message posted online late last week, John Dunnett, of the Church of England Evangelical Council, says: ‘Whilst we do not know what … will be brought to General Synod in July, it is clear that two things are going to happen. One, that the so-called ‘standalone services’ for blessings of same-sex relationships will be made possible.
‘And secondly, that, probably by the removal of “so-called” discipline, that clergy in some dioceses are going to be able to marry their same-sex partners. Maybe as soon as this autumn. These are big changes, and I think it’s fairly clear that they are indeed indicative of a change of doctrine.’
Speaking as evangelical bishops were battling against liberalism in a meeting of the House of Bishops, Dunnett added: ‘Please can I assure you that at CEEC we continue to contend for the Biblical orthodoxy of the C of E in the face of this continued push for change. But the introduction of these two things in particular would ratchet up the need for formal structural differentiation for those of us who hold to the current C of E doctrine and are not seeking change.’
