Controversy Surrounds Planned Fringe Event at Church of England’s General Synod
(Photo: Church of England / Sam Atkins)
An upcoming event at the Church of England’s General Synod has sparked significant debate, as revisionist campaigners seek to cancel a fringe meeting supporting non-affirming therapy. This event, labeled as ‘conversion therapy’ by critics, is scheduled for July 13, 2025, at York University.
A letter signed by 82 members of the General Synod has been sent to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, urging them to prohibit the ‘People Change: Sexual Identity Transformation’ meeting and its associated exhibition stand. The letter highlights concerns about safeguarding and the potential impact on the Church’s reputation.
The event is backed by Christian Legal Centre lawyer Rebecca Hunt, a lay member representing Portsmouth Diocese. Among the speakers listed is Andrea Minichiello Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre.
Robert Thompson, a vicar from London’s West Hampstead, questions the compliance of the fringe event with Church guidelines in his correspondence to Archbishops Sarah Mullally and Stephen Cottrell. Thompson asks how the event aligns with the Church’s ethos and safeguarding guidance.
The letter further intensifies pressure on the Archbishops by referencing the Labour Government’s Draft Conversion Practices Bill, underscoring the need for the Church to clarify its decision-making processes regarding such matters.
Event speakers include Mike Davidson of Core Issues Trust and Michael Grech, co-director of X-Out-Loud. The international organization X-Out-Loud promotes personal stories of those moving away from LGBT identities, asserting on its website, “We are passionate about our freedom! Our lives are living proof that Jesus is still transforming lives and that the gospel offers full hope to those voluntarily moving away from LGBT.”
Grech’s involvement is notable due to his legal challenges in Malta. In 2022, he faced criminal charges for promoting ‘conversion practices’ but was acquitted last March. However, Maltese authorities have appealed this decision. At the Synod event, Grech plans to discuss his personal experiences and broader issues of freedom of speech and religious liberty.
Additionally, the use of safeguarding as a tool to restrict free speech has been highlighted by past incidents, such as the case of former Royal Marine Jamie Michael. Despite his acquittal for inciting racial hatred, local authorities deemed him unsuitable to work with children, impacting his ability to coach youth football.
Toby Young, General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, commented on this trend, stating, “Citing safeguarding concerns to silence people you disagree with is a scandalous abuse of the system. Those protocols have been put in place to protect children from abusive parents and sexual predators, not people with patriotic views.”
The Archbishops, known for supporting the LGBT agenda, face a strategic decision on whether to heed the calls for cancellation or to stand by the event’s organizers, Andrea Williams and Rebecca Hunt, who are known for their outspoken views.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
