From the Revd Manon Ceridwen James and others

Sir, — As you reported in your coverage (News, 25 September) of the Governing Body’s debate on same-sex relationships, the Church in Wales’s Bench of Bishops will meet shortly to consider the outcome. After their silence during the debate itself, we now look forward to hearing their response to the gathering momentum for change to their Church’s position, as was shown by the 60 per cent of Governing Body members who in Lampeter last month expressed their desire for change.

We urge our Bishops not to follow the presumptive lead of the Archbishop of Wales, who, within hours of the straw poll being announced, said that he saw no point now in bringing forward a Bill or in “ripping the Church apart” in the process. We hope that a more optimistic and confident view will prevail among them, and that they will give the doctrinal and theological lead expected of them.

We believe that the two-thirds majority required in each House for a Bill allowing the celebration and blessing of same-sex unions in the Church in Wales is certainly attainable.

For that to happen, we need the momentum for change to make progress in every diocese in Wales. We who are steering Changing Attitude Cymru’s campaign are all based in the diocese of St Asaph, where the desire for change seems to be among the strongest in Wales. We appeal for support across the Province at this crucial stage.

Anyone willing to help with our campaign will find our contact details on the Facebook page for Changing Attitude Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru, or can email catac@ashborn.force9.co.uk.

MANON CERIDWEN JAMES; AIDAN COLEMAN; ADRIAN COPPING; SARAH HILDRETH-OSBORN; MICHAEL JONES; SUSAN SAWYER
On behalf of the Changing Attitude
Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru steering group
c/o Ty Coch Llangynhafal
Ruthin LL15 1RT

From the Revd Andrew Foreshew-Cain

Sir, — As the Church of England moves towards the end of the official Shared Conversations, some dioceses are beginning to think about how and whether to widen out the discussions to parishes and deaneries. Norwich diocese is to be applauded for trying to grasp this nettle — a particularly challenging one, since it must be done without additional resources from the centre or indeed any guidance or feedback from the “official” Conversations. (The question just what they were for is, of course, yet unanswered by anyone.)

An event has been planned for mid-November in the cathedral, with a panel of speakers, and is planned to be, somewhat hopefully, “a large and very public forum”. The discussion is going to be, I understand, on “the ecclesiological issue of living with diversity”, and so neatly sidesteps the large pink elephant with a wedding ring on its trunk in the room.

What is a cause for concern is that the panel consists of four speakers, who will address the experience of Scotland, the Communion’s Indaba process, and biblical models of disagreement. The final panel member, Andrew Atherston of Wycliffe Hall, has been invited to offer the conservative Evangelical experience of living with diversity, but — surprise, surprise! — there is no one from the more liberal, accepting, and open tradition.

Apart from the wry smiles that might bring to the lips of some with experience of such “living with diversity”, it concerns me that it is then proposed to use the material from the debate to produce an official DVD to “help” parishes across the diocese address the issues in their own discussions.

Is it only me, or does this sound a little unbalanced to anyone else? And can we seriously imagine any other institution — really any institution — approaching such an important discussion in such a way? Discussion on the place of women in the Church, anyone, with only men on the panel? Discussion on the need for more ethnic-minority clergy with an all-white panel?

I do genuinely applaud Norwich for trying, but would urge the diocese to think again, and other dioceses not to repeat this in their own approach to the coming long weeks, months, and years.

ANDREW FORESHEW-CAIN
St Mary’s Vicarage
134a Abbey Road
London NW6 4SN

From Erika Baker

Sir, — In his letter (2 October), Brian Anker wrongly equates bisexuality with promiscuity. It is a common error. Too many believe that bisexuality means having threesomes, or at least a relationship with several partners at the same time.

In reality, bisexuality means being physically and emotionally capable of loving men and women. Like straight or gay people, bisexuals find a mate and settle down, the difference being that that mate could be of either the opposite sex or the same sex. That’s all.

Generally speaking, it would help if we could all recognise that any word ending in “sexuality” refers to an orientation, not a behaviour. Straight, gay, bi-, pan- — these are all general categories. People belonging to any of these categories can then be single or partnered, monogamous or promiscuous.

ERIKA BAKER
1 Mead Terrace
Blagdon BS40 7UD