Church of England to explore new liturgy for transgender services

The Church of England has moved forward with the idea of welcoming transgender people into the Anglican faith with a special service. After a vote on Sunday, bishops have been invited to consider preparing special liturgies to mark when transgender people have new names. Brad Staggs shared the latest transgender update on Tuesday’s “The Morning Blaze with Doc Thompson.”

The General Synod voted 284 to 78 in favor of the move to ensure that transgender people are “welcomed and affirmed in their parish church,” the Guardian reported. While the vote did not officially sanction special services around transitioning, it is seen as a favorable signal for transgender people who want their new identity to be recognized by the church. Bishops are called on “to consider preparing nationally commended liturgical materials to mark a person's gender transition.”

The motion to consider special liturgy to welcome transgender people under their new name was proposed by Reverend Chris Newlands, vicar of Lancaster, the Telegraph reported. He called the motion "a wonderful opportunity to create a liturgy which speaks powerfully to the particularities of trans people, and make a significant contribution to their well-being and support.”

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