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[–]ClassroomPast6178[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The Rev Joanna Stobart, a vicar in the diocese of Guildford, Surrey, said that some clergy want to refer to God without saying He or Him, particularly in prayers of forgiveness for sins.

She asked: 'Please could the Liturgical Commission provide an update on the steps being taken to develop more inclusive language in our authorised liturgy and to provide more options for those who wish to use authorised liturgy and speak of God in a non-gendered way, particularly in authorised absolutions where many of the prayers offered for use refer to God using male pronouns?'

In response, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Michael Ipgrave, said: 'We have been exploring the use of gendered language in relation to God for several years, in collaboration with the Faith and Order Commission.

'After some dialogue between the two Commissions in this area, a new joint project on gendered language will begin this spring.

'In common with other potential changes to authorised liturgical provision, changing the wording and number of authorised forms of absolution would require a full Synodical process for approval.'

The proposal was welcomed by a group that campaigns for 'gender justice' in the Church of England.

Women and the Church (WATCH) said: 'WATCH welcomes the start of another project in the Church of England to look at the development of more inclusive language in our authorised liturgy.

'We hope that a proposal will be brought to Synod soon, as we believe that a theological misreading of God as exclusively male is a driver of much continuing discrimination and sexism against women.'

That old slippery slope again. The people who opposed the ordination of women in the Church of England were called nutters when they said that this would happen. I guess the Roman Catholic Church will experience another boost in conversions as they have done every time the CoE decided to “update their liturgy for a modern audience”.

May be blocked by the American and African churches though, they’re more conservative, especially the African church.