(OPINION) WND – When the Church of England recently announced Stephen Cottrell as the next Archbishop of York, eyebrows were raised. The U.K.’s Christian Institute, for example, pointed to his view that the Bible must yield to the “cultural beliefs” of contemporary society on matters of sexual behavior. At a meeting of church officials, Cottrell called for a “radical new Christian inclusion.” And he asserted his spiritual authority. “I have my views and opinions, of course, I do, but I am also ‘Father in
God’ to all of you; and all clergy and licensed ministers make an oath of canonical obedience to me, regardless of disagreement on some issues,” he said. He said “faithful Christian people” interpret the Bible’s instructions on sexuality “differently.” No one can ignore the “ecumenical dimensions” of the debate, he said, “but neither can we ignore the culture in which we are set where same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage are not only considered normal but positively taught and encouraged in many homes and schools as a social good.” He warned of the “missiological damage” done when the church’s teachings conflict with “that which is held to be morally normative and desirable by much of society.” READ MORE
