Church of England views on love and sexuality have been unclear. There has been two occasions
only when the Church of England has expressed its position on love and sexuality formally. The first instance was on 11th November 1987.
The second instance was in December 1991. This was when a document entitled, Issues in
Human Sexuality was published by the House of Bishops.
1. Church of England Views on Love and
Sexuality
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Church of England views on love and sexuality have been unclear. There has been two occasions
only when the Church of England has expressed its position on love and sexuality formally. The
first instance was on 11th
November 1987.
At this time, the General Synod voted 403 votes against 8 votes in a motion of chastity teaching
and fidelity in relationship. This was in response to as well as expression of the love of God for
his people. In this particular instance, the Church of England affirmed that sexual intercourse
refers to an act of complete commitment that belongs permanently in a marriage relationship.
The Synod also affirmed that adultery and fornication are serious sins that go against the ideal
teachings and should be met by exercising compassion and repentance. Homosexuality is also
against this ideal and likewise should be met by compassion exercise and repentance.
In every sphere of morality, members of the Church of England and the entire Christian
fraternity are called upon to be an exemplary community. This includes love and sexuality.
Christian leaders are particularly expected to exhibit life holiness.
The second instance was in December 1991. This was when a document entitled, Issues in
Human Sexuality was published by the House of Bishops. The document endorsed traditional
2. belief of the Christians that teaches about love and heterosexual marriage. The document
affirmed the position of the Church of England on love and sexuality by affirming that sexual
activity is acceptable when it occurs in the context of a heterosexual marriage of two people who
are bound by love for one another. The document further noted that the church could not endorse
what was considered as homophile orientation.
However, the document argued that conscientious decision of individuals who would enter such
relationships has to be respected. It stated that the Church of England will respect and not reject
individuals who sincerely believed that such relationships are a call by God for them.
Nevertheless, the Church of England has faced criticism from different corners on its stance on
the issue of love and sexuality.
In 2005, the House of Bishops came out clearly in a pastoral statement regarding civil
partnerships where it took the view of sexual intercourse as a way of expressing faithful intimacy
and one that belongs in the marriage context exclusively.
The Church of England views on love and sexuality are generally that a man and a woman
should engage in sex if they are in love, faithful, committed and in a permanent relationship in
the context of a marriage. However, some people in the church support homosexuality because
they consider it a natural sexual orientation.
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Sources
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18511
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/67770/Church-of-England-tells-couples-to-have-more-sex
https://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/marriage,-family-and-sexuality-issues/human-
sexuality/homosexuality.aspx
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