Manchester Cathedral Withdraws Offer of Service (3 Sept 2003)

The Chapter of Manchester Cathedral have today (3rd September 2003) informed  the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement that permission to use the Cathedral for an act of Sunday worship for those attending Halfway to Lambeth has been summarily withdrawn. The Conference is to be held at Manchester University from 24th-26th October 2003.


Rev. Richard Kirker, General Secretary of LGCM said today


"The decision of the Chapter to exclude lesbian and gay Christians from  worship will cause serious hurt to all people of good will.


"Prayer and praise are the joyful duty of all God's people and along with all  Christian organisations forms the bedrock of our gathering. It is horrifying to think that any person, no matter what their views on human sexuality, might welcome this ban on what is a sacred obligation for all Christians.


"The Anglican Communion is committed to listen to lesbian and gay people -  yet it seems even when we try to lift our voices in adoration of God - we are to be silenced.


"In the name of sensitivity the Chapter are blowing up a storm of  controversy, when all we had planned together was a church service. Are lesbian and gay Christians the only people whose sensitivities they feel able to trample on?


We urge the Chapter to reconsider this breach of trust and allow us into  God's house so we may worship.

The conference will conclude with an Act of Worship even if it has to be elsewhere. No amount of inhospitality from the Cathedral can prevent that."

ENDS