Archbishop's Comments

The Archbishop of Canterbury answered wide-ranging questions on topics including reaching young people, the credibility of the Bible, other faiths, sexual ethics, the future of the worldwide Anglican communion and the Lambeth Conference and his own inspirations, from a 600-strong audience of clergy and lay people at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday November 10. On Sexual Ethics he said:

"We need to be clear that any message which dehumanizes, which demonizes or marginalises gay or lesbian people within the church or the human family is deplorable. People in God's eyes are not defined by their sexual orientation."

"We are in the very awkward position that we don't believe we have the authority as a church to bless the physical expression of homosexual love and yet we have to accept that gay and lesbian people are a gift to the church and they deserve respect, dignity, love and attention. Walking that tightrope is something we are not very good at the moment, not good at all. That's the challenge.”

Read the report and listen to a recording of his answers from Network Norwich the Christian Community website for Norwich.