Bishop to attend Lambeth Conference without wife in protest at bar on gay clergy partners

Rt Rev Paul Bayes described the decision to prevent same-sex partners of clergy from attending the 2020 Lambeth Conference as an “act of exclusion”.

In a message posted on Twitter, he said: “I deeply regret that, in the fractious complexities of our life as a worldwide people, this act of exclusion has taken its place.

“It is a grief to me and to my wife, and to many others. Despite this, I aim to attend the Conference, alone, in the hope of a common future.”

The Anglican Communion – which includes national churches from 165 countries – was forced to clarify its stance on the matter last week, following “misunderstanding”.

I deeply regret that in the fractious complexities of our life as a worldwide people this act of exclusion has taken its place. It is a grief to me and to my wife, and to many others.
Despite this I aim to attend the Conference, alone, in the hope of a common future. pic.twitter.com/uf6Cxmbera

— Paul Bayes (@paulbayes) February 26, 2019

General Secretary Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon said: “The invitation process has…needed to take account of the Anglican Communion’s position on marriage which is that it is the lifelong union of a man and a woman.

“Given this, it would be inappropriate for same-sex spouses to be invited to the conference.”

The prospect of the same-sex partners of gay bishops being “received in good standing” at the 2020 Lambeth…