Bishop selected to chair new Church of England working group

Appointment made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York 

Bishop Tricia Hillas is to chair a new Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working Group for the Church of England.

It will, among other things, explore legal and legislative questions around special services and what legislation would be needed to license or ordain same-sex married clergy.

It marks the next step following the church's Living in Love and Faith (LLF) programme, which concluded in February this year.

Meanwhile Bishop Philip Mounstephen is to chair a Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Pastoral Consultative Group supporting bishops and archdeacons by offering pastoral advice and guidance on individual cases and promoting consistent practice across the Church. 

Both appointments were made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and confirmed by the LLF Programme Board. 

LLF was originally set up in 2017 to explore the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.  

It led to the introduction, following a key Synod vote in 2023, of public prayers of blessing, dedication, and thanksgiving for use with same-sex couples - known as the Prayers of Love and Faith.

The Prayers of Love and Faith are now in use as part of regular Church of England services, but the House of Bishops confirmed last year that special or ‘bespoke’ services for same-sex couples would need full formal authorisation under canon law.

The Working Group will explore the approval process for bespoke services under canon law as well as what legislation would be needed to license or ordain same-sex married clergy. 

It will report back to the General Synod within the first two years of the new Synod, which is being elected in the autumn. 

Bishop Tricia says she is 'delighted that the Diocese of Sodor and Man can contribute to the wider church in this way':