PERSONAL STATEMENT BY JAYNE OZANNE - 2016 PRIMATES COMMUNIQUE

“As the coordinator behind the Open Letter to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York I am deeply shocked by the statement that has been released at the end of the 2016 Primates Meeting.

It claims that “there is neither victor nor vanquished”. This is false. Those whose lives will be most impacted are our LGBTI brothers and sisters around the world, of which the statement makes no mention. It is as if we do not even exist.

Sadly, despite the letter which has now got over 4500 signatories from around the world, there is no acknowledgement of the deep pain these decisions will cause, nor any concern for the pastoral care of LGBTI Christians.

As such our letter has fallen on deaf ears, meaning those who have frequently been most marginalized and rejected by society will now perceive the Church as an oppressor rather than as a place of healing and grace. Lord have mercy on us.”

Jayne Ozanne is a leading openly gay evangelical within the Church of England, and a member of General Synod. Please contact her on [email protected]