Following yesterday's General Synod vote not to 'take note' of a report by the House of Bishops on Marriage and Same Sex Relationships, the Bishop of Lichfield, Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, said:
The report from the House of Bishops had called for a fresh tone and culture of welcome and support for gay and lesbian people and their families in churches, which I wholeheartedly support. It also recognised the traditional teaching of the Church that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman, and I am committed to that teaching.
Yesterday's vote showed the reality of disagreement among Synod members on these issues. That is true in the Diocese of Lichfield also, and we need to take on board the diversity of opinion expressed as we find a new way to move forward together. We are committed to building an inclusive and faithful church that loves and serves all of its communities. As the Archbishop of Canterbury has said, 'No person is a problem or an issue. All of us, without exception, are loved and called in Christ.'
More information on the vote is here and a comment from the Archbishop of Canterbury is here.