The Church of England publishes a "Guide to the Debate" on sexuality

The publication of "Some Issues in Human Sexuality: a Guide to the Debate" today brings to an end the speculation and leaks surrounding this substantial work. Advance copies were issued only hours before the formal launch at 1pm 4th November 2003. For details of the background see http://www.oxford.anglican.org.

Speaking from New Hampshire (USA) the General Secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement the Reverend Richard Kirker said:

"We welcome any genuine effort to inform and educate opinion on human sexuality. As the Archbishop of Canterbury observed much of his correspondence over Canon Jeffrey John was full of hate filled homophobia, this emphasises the need to address the ignorance that still abounds.

"We regret that, despite the claims made at its launch, no self affirming lesbian and gay people were invited into the heart of the process of creating this work. Consultations with organisations such as ours were cursory.

"No serious debate can be carried on within the Anglican establishment when it continues to deal with lesbian and gay people as if they were on the margins, when all now know we are present - if heavily disguised - at the heart of the Church of England, in all its ministries and congregations.

"We also regret that some Anglican groups and churches, no matter how small in number, have set themselves against engaging in any debate whatsoever (Statement of Reform, Church Society and others).

"Debate must have some purpose. We note this guide does not, of itself, change what is the current position within the Church of England, but its very existence is a challenge to that position and. we hope, a sign that a new direction and new understanding will emerge."

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