Canon John Bowker, President Of Action On AIDS, Calls On The Church To Bless Homosexual Couples

Might the Church of England introduce a blessing for gay couples, and could it help combat AIDS?

Canon John Bowker, Cambridge University academic and Anglican priest, is interviewed sitting in front of bookshelves. Reporter Chris Young asks him what sort of religious ceremony should there be for homosexual couples? He replies that there should be a clear indication that church, society and God are supporting the couple in their commitment of love and fidelity to one another for a lifetime. Asked if this would be like a gay marriage, the Canon replies that marriage has differences regarding children, but there would be similarity in the commitments regarding faithfulness and love with God’s blessing. Asked how this might help combat AIDS, he responds that the church and church people are beginning to say that to be gay is a decision and not necessarily against the will of God or against scripture. In the circumstances of the AIDS virus, the church can support people in their commitment of fidelity to one partner, avoiding promiscuity. Such a blessing would be public support, spiritual help and recognition.

Keywords

Church of England; Homosexuality; AIDS; Partnership; Marriage; Blessing

Additional Description

John Westerdale Bowker, Anglican priest and scholar, was born in 1935. Following Oxford University and national service, he moved from the University of Sheffield to the University of Cambridge from 1962, where he is credited with introducing religious studies as a discipline. In 1974 he moved to the University of Lancaster, and in 1984 returned to Cambridge. From 1992 to 1997 he was Gresham professor of Divinity at Gresham College, London. He is an Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral. He was president of Christian Action on AIDS 1986 - 1991.