Canon Chris Sugden Criticizes Church of England Stance on Same-Sex Blessings

Canon Chris Sugden, chair of Anglican Mainstream, recently characterized the Church of England’s decision to bless same-sex relationships as a "bridge too far." In a discussion with Tony Rucinski of the Coalition for Marriage, Sugden expressed concern that the denomination is increasingly intolerant of traditional views regarding marriage and gender, arguing that those who dissent from pro-LGBT perspectives face pressure to be silenced.

Sugden pointed to a 2026 General Synod incident in York as evidence of this trend. When a fringe meeting was organized to feature testimonies from individuals who have transitioned away from homosexuality, 82 Synod members petitioned the archbishops to intervene. While the event was not banned, organizers were denied permission to host a public display for the meeting, with officials citing concerns that such promotion would conflict with the Church’s 2017 support for a ban on conversion practices.

Furthermore, Sugden voiced opposition to government proposals to ban conversion practices, framing the debate as a fundamental disagreement over the biblical understanding of gender. He warned that abandoning traditional definitions of male and female could undermine societal structures, including the traditional family unit.