Archbishop of Canterbury criticized for comments on gay sex

The Church of England’s Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faced public backlash for sharing thoughts on homosexuality that contradicted Anglican doctrine. During an interview with the Leading podcast last week, Welby said that the sexuality of partners did not matter as long as they were in a committed relationship. He later followed up with a written statement through his office at Lambeth Palace.

The church is deeply split over the issue, he said. He added that the church’s second-highest bishop, the Archbishop of York, and a majority of bishops agree that sex should be kept within a marriage or civil partnership. Same-sex marriages are legal throughout the United Kingdom. He also described a proposal from leaders allowing same-sex couples in civil partnerships or legal marriages to have a prayer service blessing their lives together. Such services would be a long way from holding same-sex marriage services in the church, he claimed.

Afterward, many Anglicans slammed the archbishop’s comments for contradicting the church’s doctrine outlining sexual activity. Intercourse belongs exclusively within marriage as an expression of faithful intimacy, according to Anglican doctrine. The church’s doctrine defines marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman, excluding all others on either side. Ministerial resources also reaffirmed traditional marriage in 2023 guidelines that note the relationship’s model after Christ and the Church. It is only within Biblical marriage that sexual intimacy is proper, according to the guidelines.

A coalition of over 2,300 clergy known as The Alliance reaffirmed that Welby’s statements do not adhere to church teachings. The open letter further reminded leaders that all doctrinal changes must be made by following due processes in the Church. However, the Anglican General Synod recently was tepid, compromising on protocol around same-sex relationships in the Anglican church during a July meeting, according to a church news release.

How has the church responded to public criticism? Welby gave his personal opinion to the complex question of whether homosexuality is sinful, the archbishop’s office at Lambeth Palace said in a statement. While Welby prioritized the stability and commitment of a relationship for sexual activity, there is no full consensus among bishops, his office added. The archbishop’s opinions on sex have evolved over years of prayer and theological reflection, showing his commitment to welcoming LGBTQ people deeper into the church, the statement continued. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell expressed similar views during a 2023 interview. Sexual intimacy belongs in committed, faithful relationships, even if that committed relationship is between two people of the same sex, he said during the BBC interview.

Dig deeper: Read my report on a previous Alliance letter threatening a split from the church over the issue of homosexuality earlier this year.