The Church of England is considering referring to God in “genderless” terms during services, the Telegraph reported.
Breaking with centuries of tradition, the bishops have announced that they will launch a major “gender language project” this spring.
You can suggest that priests stop using the masculine pronouns “He” and “He” when referring to God in some sentences, or even that they can remove the famous phrase “Our Father” from the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh stand during the Holy Service conducted by the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, at Christ Church Cathedral on March 28, 2013, in Oxford, England. (WPA Group/Group via Getty Images)
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The Rev. Joanna Stobart, vicar of the Diocese of Guildford, Surrey, said some clergy want to refer to God without saying He or He, particularly in prayers for forgiveness of sins, according to the report.
Stobart wrote: “Please could the Liturgical Commission provide an update on the steps being taken to develop more inclusive language in our authorized liturgy and provide more options for those who wish to use the authorized liturgy and speak of God without gender. ?particularly in authorized absolutions where many of the prayers offered for use refer to God using masculine pronouns?”
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In response, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rev Michael Ipgrave, said: “We have been exploring the use of gender language in relation to God for a number of years, in collaboration with the Faith and Order Commission.”
The proposal was welcomed by a group campaigning for “gender justice” in the Church of England.
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Women and the Church (WATCH), a group that campaigns for “gender justice” in the CoE, said “WATCH welcomes the start of another project in the Church of England to look at the development of more inclusive language. in our authorized liturgy”.
Bishop of Derby Right Rev. Libby Lane, second right, sings at a celebration service to mark the 25th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Church of England, at Lambeth Palace, London. (Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images)
However, some traditionalists say this is going too far and will fear that the proposed introduction of gender-neutral language is another example of the church’s attempt to push ever smaller congregations as young people move further apart. .
This announcement comes ahead of a critical Synod vote later this week on the introduction of blessing services for gay couples.
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