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UK: Priest Threatens Resignation if forced to give Communion to Lesbian Couple
Priest could face Clergy Discipline Measure complaint
By Anonymous
February 15, 2017
Karen is head teacher of a Church of England Primary School in the diocese, having taken up her appointment about a year ago. She lives in your parish about 10 miles from her school. In recent months she has been attending regularly, sometimes with Anna whom you now understand to be her partner. Anna has asked to be confirmed. Although she's been in a long-term relationship with Karen she has only recently come to acknowledge her own Christian faith largely through the Alpha Course run in your parish.
Your Rector, Julie, has now discovered that Karen and Anna are in a relationship, and, indeed, were married around the time of Karen's appointment to the school. Julie has told Anna that she cannot in conscience present her for confirmation to the Bishop since she believes that she and Karen are living in a relationship which is contrary to the teaching of the Church. She's also said that they should no longer receive Communion. Julie has written the Bishop too, asking how someone who does not model Christian family life can possibly be a head teacher in a Church school.
Karen argues that what she and Anna are doing is no more than what is permitted by Issues in Human Sexuality, issued as long ago as 1991, and reiterated in the Pastoral Statements of the House of Bishops ever since, namely that lay people may dissent from the traditional teaching of the Church and continue to be welcomed as members of the Body of Christ in sacramental life. She says that Julie has no power to bar them from receiving Communion. Given that all clergy are asked to uphold the disciplines of issues Karen believes that she should make a Clergy Discipline Measure complaint against Julie for her failure to honour the teaching of the Church.
A number of your fellow members of the PCC believe Julie has gone too far and promoted this reaction. Julie is now threatening to resign if she is made to give Communion to Karen and Anna. The Bishop is coming to meet the PCC. What will you do as a member of the PCC and what do you think the Bishop should do?
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