Same-sex attracted Anglican pastor says he feels bullied for opposing gay marriage

Jardine Malado Monday, February 20, 2017

A priest wears a rainbow ribbon during a vigil against Anglican Homophobia, outside the General Synod of the Church of England in London, Britain, February 15, 2017. | Reuters/Hannah McKay

An Anglican pastor who described himself as "same-sex attracted" has said that he feels bullied by some members of Church of England's General Synod for affirming the biblical definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Sam Allberry, a pastor in Maidenhead and author of "Is God Anti-Gay?" said that he has been attracted to the same sex his entire life, but he maintained that sexuality is not a "matter of identity" for him.

"My primary sense of worth and fulfillment as a human being is not contingent on being romantically or sexually fulfilled, and this is liberating," Allberry said in his speech at the General Synod.

He asserted that it would be wrong to consider romantic pursuits as intrinsic to human fulfillment because Jesus Christ was never married or had romantic relationships.

The pastor said that he had met hundreds of Christians that are in his situation, and he also knows many others who are same-sex attracted who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Allberry said he no longer feels that the Church is a "safe place" for him. "By Church I do not mean my congregation, I mean this Synod," he clarified.

"I was bullied at school for being gay. I now feel I'm being bullied at Synod for being same-sex attracted and faithful to the teaching of Jesus on marriage," the pastor continued.

Allberry commended the recent report by the Church of England that affirmed that traditional teachings on marriage. However, the motion to take note of the report failed to pass after it was rejected by members of the clergy.

The majority of the synod were in favor of the taking note of the report, with 106 votes from the laity, 43 from bishops and 93 from clergy. But the motion, which needed majority support in each of the three sectors, did not pass as 100 members of the clergy voted against it. It was also rejected by 83 members of the laity and one bishop, according to Premier.

While the report recommended that the Church continue to uphold its stance on traditional marriage, it also urged the promotion of "maximum freedom" for same-sex couples without changing its current laws and doctrines.

Some conservative members of the synod rejected the report due to concerns that it would lead to blessings for gay couples.