The Church of England has begun the next stage of a process of discernment and decision-making on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, with the publication of set of resources entitled “Living in Love and Faith”.

The product of three years’ work by a diverse range of people across the Church, led by the Bishop of Coventry, The Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, “Living in Love and Faith” (LLF) includes a significant new book, a series of films and podcasts, a study course and an online library of other publications.  Biblically rooted, it draws on theology, science and history, and includes powerful real-life stories.

The House of Bishops is appealing to the whole Church of England to participate in learning together, using the resources for open, honest and gracious discussion, listening and learning.  A group of bishops, chaired by the Bishop of London, The Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, will lead the process of discernment and decision-making about a way forward for the church on these issues.  It is anticipated that the period of church-wide learning and engagement will take place through 2021.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby has commented:

“My prayer for the Church through this work is that collectively we demonstrate the same love to one another that we have experienced from God.”

Bishops Robert and David said:

"Living in Love and Faith” is a vitally important process for our Church as we live, learn and grow in our discipleship together.  

We appreciate the challenges involved in engaging with these materials in the conditions of covid-19 lockdown which very many of us in our diocese are experiencing.  These are not the kinds of discussions that lend themselves to online meetings.

So we will be inviting the members of Diocesan Synod to advise us on ways in which we might best engage with “Living in Love and Faith” in our different contexts, and as a diocesan family.

We would very much hope that it will be possible to come together in person in our Church communities in the Diocese to embark on the deeper phase of discernment on these issues by the middle of 2021."

You can find out more about Living in Love and Faith, and register to access the LLF Learning Hub at this link:

https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/living-love-and-faith