Letter to Bishop Sarah Mullally
Earlier this month, OneBodyOneFaith wrote to Bishop Sarah Mullally following the announcement of her nomination as the next Archbishop of Canterbury:
Dear Bishop Sarah
On behalf of the Board and staff of OneBodyOneFaith, we write to offer our warmest congratulations on your nomination to serve as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Your appointment to this leadership role comes at a time of both opportunity and challenge for the Church of England, and we pray for wisdom, courage, and compassion as you take up this significant ministry.
For nearly fifty years, OneBodyOneFaith has worked ecumenically to champion the wellbeing and affirmation of LGBT+ Christians. As we approach our fiftieth anniversary in 2026, we reflect with gratitude on the progress made and remain mindful of the work still to be done to ensure that all members of God’s Church are fully included and affirmed.
We acknowledge the at-times challenging conversations within the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion around issues of sexuality and gender. We commend the Church of England’s commitment to dialogue, as reflected in Living in Love and Faith. However, in our position of expertise, we are very aware that many LGBT+ people continue to experience exclusion, inequality, and injustice within the life of the Church. OneBodyOneFaith’s desire is that LGBT+ people should be treated the same way as our straight and cisgendered siblings, in our lives, in our relationships, and in our ministry. It is our hope that under your leadership, the Church of England can engage with these challenges courageously and pastorally, offering a model of love, inclusion, and faithfulness to the Gospel.
OneBodyOneFaith seeks to continue accompanying the Church of England in this journey, continuing our role as a critical friend. We commit ourselves to offer constructive challenge, advocacy, and support where needed, and to celebrate progress as it occurs. We look forward to working with you and the leadership of the Church of England to nurture a Church that truly affirms the dignity, gifts, and callings of all its people.
We also pray for distinguished and bold leadership on issues of safety and harm in the Church of England, calling for leaders to not shy away from hard truths and for there to be committed work to achieve a better, safer future, especially those persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Once again, our heartfelt congratulations on your appointment. May God grant you grace and wisdom as you shepherd the Church of England in these pivotal times.
In Christ,
The Revd Luke Dowding, Chief Executive Officer
C. E. Lord, OBE JP, Trustee & Treasurer
