Divisions deepen in COE as conservatives express 'lack of confidence' in 'gay marriage' talks
A group of conservative Anglicans have expressed their "lack of confidence" in the Church of England's talks on gay relationships.
A statement released on Tuesday was signed by 32 members of the Church's governing synod after it held private talks in an attempt to reconcile bitter differences over teaching on same-sex marriage. Bishops will use the "shared conversations" as a basis for deciding whether or not to allow for gay relationships in some form within the Church.
The signatories make up a small section of the 483 members of synod but the statement is a strong rebuttal to the "process of shared conversations". They express concern that the final decision on whether to endorse same-sex relationships will not be made on the basis of the Bible.
The statement, published on the conservative blog Anglican Mainstream, reads: "Whatever their stated purposes, the outcome has not led to a...