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Church of England to vote on transgender services Church of England votes to explore transgender services
(about 11 hours later)
The Church of England's governing body is due to vote on whether special services should be held for transgender people. The Church of England's governing body has voted to look into special services for transgender people.
Supporters of the services say the Church should offer a welcome to people to mark their transition. Supporters of the services said the Church should offer a welcome to people to mark their transition.
Others suggest the services would be counter to some parts of the Bible which state that humans are created as either male or female. Others have suggested the services would be counter to some parts of the Bible which state that humans are created as either male or female.
The Church's four-day general synod meeting in York started on Friday.The Church's four-day general synod meeting in York started on Friday.
The Church conducts multiple marriages, christenings, and blessings every day, and now it is being asked to add to its liturgy a service to welcome transgender Christians to their new identity. The motion recognised the "need for transgender people to welcomed and affirmed in their parish church".
Chris Newlands, vicar of Lancaster Priory church, posed the motion as a way of the church welcoming people who suffer from transphobia across society.
The clergymen said he would speak on behalf of the transgender community, as there were no transgender people in the synod.
He said: "We need to be aware of the impact that our actions - be them welcome or rejection - have on the members of the trans community.
"I hope that we can make a powerful statement that we believe trans people are cherished and loved by God, who created them."
Such a service would not be a second baptism, however, as the Church's teaching is that humans are made in the image of God - transcending gender - and baptism takes place only once.Such a service would not be a second baptism, however, as the Church's teaching is that humans are made in the image of God - transcending gender - and baptism takes place only once.
Supporters say such a welcome would help people undergoing the trauma of transition, or transphobic bullying. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said that "theology has to be done" by the House of Bishops, but "it can be done very quickly".
On Saturday, the general synod voted clearly in favour of a motion calling for a ban on so-called conversion therapy for LGBT Christians. An amendment to the motion asking bishops to consider the theological, pastoral and other issues around gender transition, was rejected.
The debate was emotional but the vote conclusive. 'Not a sin'
Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: "As the world listens to us the world needs to hear us say that LGBT orientation and identity is not a crime. On Saturday, the general synod backed a motion calling for a ban on so-called conversion therapy for LGBT Christians.
"LGBT orientation and identity is not a sickness. And LGBT orientation and identity is not a sin" Dr Sentamu added: "As the world listens to us, the world needs to hear us say that LGBT orientation and identity is not a crime.
While splits over sexuality remain, liberal Anglicans see the vote as a victory. "LGBT orientation and identity is not a sickness. And LGBT orientation and identity is not a sin."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has said the Church will spend three years on a document outlining a new stance on sexuality. Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the Church would spend three years on a document outlining a new stance on sexuality.
Current rules ban the marriage of same-sex couples in church.Current rules ban the marriage of same-sex couples in church.
Services of blessing for civil partnerships are also prohibited, but informal prayers are allowed.Services of blessing for civil partnerships are also prohibited, but informal prayers are allowed.