General Synod challenged to urgently defend marriage
Andrea Minichiello Williams spoke to the General Synod today (6 Feb), challenging the Church of England to take a stand for traditional marriage before it is too late.
Urging the Presidents of the Synod (the two Archbishops) to authorise an Emergency Debate, Andrea Williams, member of the General Synod and CEO of Christian Concern, called on the church to resist David Cameron’s attempt to introduce same-sex marriage, noting that such a concept is contrary to both the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.
She said: “In Matthew 19 Jesus tells us categorically that marriage was ordained by God from the beginning of our creation as the union of one man and one woman and this relationship is a direct reflection of the relationship between Christ and the church – the bridegroom and the bride.
“If the national Church were to stand for marriage as traditionally defined then our Prime Minister would be defeated even before he began.”
“Is it not the job of the established Church to hold government to account and not to let her stray from biblical precepts which are good not just for individuals but for communities and nations?”
Andrea Williams submitted a Private Member's Motion to the Synod which states: ‘That this Synod affirms the public doctrine of marriage, between a man and a woman, as set out in the Book of Common Prayer as the only basis for engagement with public policy on marriage and family life’.
She said afterwards:
“The Synod only meets twice a year. How can we not discuss the redefinition of marriage? Such a move would take this nation profoundly away from biblical values. We can’t play the fiddle whilst Rome burns. The next generation will hold us accountable if we lose the concept of marriage. The Church of England must take a stand for truth.”
Resources
Christian Concern: Full speech to General Synod by Andrea Williams CEO
Christian Concern: Backbench rebellion over plans to introduce homosexual marriage
Christian Concern: Sexual Orientation
