Commenting on the political aspects of his role, Justin Welby said, “I am having to struggle to be faithful to the tradition, faithful to the scripture, to understand what the call and will of God is in the 21st century and to respond appropriately with an answer for all people—not condemning them, whether I agree with them or not—that covers both sides of the argument.”
“And I haven’t got a good answer, and I am not doing that bit of work as well as I would like,” he added.
Welby did say that “homophobic hatred” is “sinful,” giving his reason as being “because you are hating individuals. I don’t think it is sinful to say that you disagree with gay sex. But to express that by way of hatred for people is absolutely wrong in the same way as misogyny or racism is wrong.”
“Is that not morally a cop out?” asked Campbell.
“Yes,” said Welby. “I am copping out because I am struggling with the issue.”
Welby’s words to Campbell seven years later echoed his original response, with a seeming shift to outright approval of committed sexual relationships apart from heterosexual marriage.
Given how he and the majority of the other bishops see the matter, Welby said, “We’ve put forward a proposal that where people have been through a civil partnership or a same-sex marriage, equal marriage under the 2014 act, they should be able come along to their local, to a church and have a service of prayer and blessing for them in their lives together. So we accept that.”
RELATED: Church of England To Introduce Same-Sex Blessing, As It Faces ‘Disestablishment’ Bill in Parliament
The Church of England launched its prayers of blessing for same-sex couples in December 2023. However, the church’s official stance on marriage is that it is between one man and one woman and that marriage is the right context for sexual relations.
“As with all things in the Church of England, there’s always a ‘but,’” Welby said, noting that “because of conscience, no one, no priest or church should be compelled to have these services.”
Welby believes these services of prayer and blessing are “a long way from church same-sex marriage. But there is no doubt that the church is deeply, profoundly divided on this.”
When Campbell asked if Welby was personally conducting such services, the archbishop said, “I’ve said I won’t out of responsibility for the Anglican communion, where in many parts of the world, it’s absolutely unacceptable.”
Campbell observed that this posture is an example of Welby being a “politician,” again referencing their previous interview, and Welby agreed. He pointed out that in some countries, people face the death penalty for being gay, while in others, the church supports gay marriage outright.