To the Bishops and Officers of the Synod of the Church of Pakistan,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I write to you not as a representative of any institution, but as a fellow Anglican Christian—one who is part of the Body of Christ and who seeks to follow Jesus faithfully, joyfully, and truthfully. I am also someone who identifies as LGBT and who finds deep spiritual nourishment within the Anglican tradition, especially in its growing embrace of inclusion, justice and grace.
I have read your letter with care and prayer. I honour your sincerity, your love for the Church, and your desire to uphold the Gospel. I also recognise the difficult context in which you minister, and I do not take lightly the challenges you face in bearing witness to Christ in a place where Christians are often vulnerable. Your courage and commitment are deeply respected.
However, I must also speak from my own experience and conviction, shaped by Scripture, tradition, reason, and the lived reality of God’s grace in my life and in the lives of many others.
🌈 The Gospel of Inclusion
The election and appointment of The Rt Revd Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales is, to many of us, a sign of hope and healing. It reflects a Church that is learning to see the image of God in all people, regardless of gender, sexuality, or relationship status. It is not a departure from the Gospel—it is a deeper embrace of it.
Jesus consistently broke down barriers: between Jew and Gentile, male and female, clean and unclean, sinner and saint. He welcomed those whom the religious authorities rejected. He healed the outcast, dined with the marginalized, and affirmed the dignity of those whom society had cast aside. That radical love is the heart of the Gospel.
The Rule of St Benedict reminds us to “welcome all as Christ.” This Benedictine principle calls us to radical hospitality, seeing Christ in every person and extending grace to all, especially those who have been marginalized.
📖 Scripture and Interpretation
You speak of a “departure from the biblical pattern of spiritual leadership.” Yet Scripture itself is not a static rulebook—it is a living witness to God’s unfolding revelation. The Bible contains many voices, many tensions, and many moments of divine disruption. Women like Deborah, Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, and Junia played vital roles in God’s mission. The early Church wrestled with inclusion—of Gentiles, of eunuchs, of those outside the expected norms—and ultimately chose grace over exclusion.
We do not abandon Scripture when we affirm LGBT people in ministry; we read it with fresh eyes, guided by the Spirit, and rooted in the love of Christ.
The Benedictine tradition also teaches us to listen “with the ear of the heart.” This deep listening invites us to hear God’s voice in Scripture, in prayer, and in the lives of those around us, including those whose experiences challenge our assumptions.
🤝 Communion and Diversity
Unity in the Anglican Communion has never meant uniformity. We are a global family, diverse in culture, theology, and practice. What binds us is not identical doctrine, but shared faith in Christ and mutual commitment to walk together even amid disagreement.
Your letter laments a “strain upon the shared communion.” I see it differently. I see a communion that is learning to listen, to grow, and to honour the voices of those who have long since been silenced. That is not moral decay—it is moral courage.
The Benedictine emphasis on community reminds us that living in community requires humility, patience, and mutual respect. It is through these virtues that we can navigate our differences and remain united in Christ.
🙏 A Plea for Grace
I do not write to argue, but to witness. I am a Christian. I love Jesus. I read Scripture. I pray. I serve. I worship. And I am LGBT. These truths are not in conflict—they are held together by grace.
I pray that we may all be open to the surprising ways God moves in our midst. I pray that we may learn from one another, even when we disagree. And I pray that our communion may be marked not by fear, but by love—not by exclusion, but by welcome—not by lament, but by celebration of the diverse gifts God has given His Church.
May we all be faithful to Christ, who calls us to love one another as He loves us.
In Christ’s peace and hope, as a fellow Anglican Christian, united in faith, diverse in grace, and committed to the Gospel of Love.
The above is written as a response to the Letter to the Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, published on the website of the Dioceses of Down and Dromore.