Church of England bishop backtracks over blessings for transgender Christians

A Church of England bishop who said he would give blessings to transgender people now claims he is opposed to the idea.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Julian Henderson, had previously said he supported new guidance announced by the Church of England allowing transgender people to have a form of baptism service after changing gender.

The guidance, issued last month, recommended that the Affirmation of Baptism service is adapted to allow transgender Christians to celebrate their new identity.

Their service would see them addressed by their chosen name instead of their birth name.

The service would see them addressed by their chosen name, not birth name.

Initially, Bishop Henderson, chair of the House of Bishops delegation committee which approved the guidance, said: “We are absolutely clear that everyone is made in the image of God and that all should find a welcome in their parish church.

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“This new guidance provides an opportunity, rooted in scripture, to enable trans people who have come to Christ as the way, the truth and the life, to mark their transition in the presence of their Church family which is the body of Christ.”

However, The Times reported that he has since signed an open letter from the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), which represents more conservative churches, calling the guidance “theologically and pastorally questionable”.

The bishop has apologised for the mixed messages, conceding he had caused “confusion and anxiety to many”.

He said his initial statement had been issued on behalf of the committee as a whole, adding that his latest statement condemning the plans were more of a reflection of his views.

A statement from the CEEC said that “after further reflection on the guidance”, Bishop Henderson could no longer support it.

Bishop Henderson said: “I continue to be sorry for the confusion that my different roles and statements have created.”

William Nye, the Church of England’s secretary-general, recently supported the House of Bishops’ guidance but said “there is no obligation on anyone to offer the rite”.