The Church of England will consider using gender-neutral addresses to God
The Church of England will consider using gender-neutral terms to name God.
This is reported by The Guardian.
In particular, the church plans to create a special commission in the spring of 2023, which should decide whether it is correct to call God “he”. However, any potential changes that would represent a departure from traditional teachings must be approved by the Synod.
The Most Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, said the church “has been investigating the use of gendered language in relation to God for a number of years”.
“Following dialogue between the two commissions in this area, a new joint project on gender language will begin this spring,” he said.
Currently, it is not known what will replace the word “Father” in the main prayer of Christians, “Our Father”, if the “gender” changes are approved.
“The fact that God is called “father” cannot be replaced by “mother” without changing the meaning, nor can the word “father” be gender-neutralized without losing meaning.
Father and mother are not interchangeable.” Reverend Dr. Jan Paul emphasizes.
At the same time, according to the spokesman of the Anglican Church, there is nothing new in the possible change of terminology, because Christians have been aware since ancient times that “God is neither male nor female”.
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