REVEREND PROPOSES REBAPTIZING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE UNDER NEW NAME
(Photo: Chairsma News)
Reverend Chris Newlands of the Church of England has presented a proposal to rebaptize all transgender men and women in an effort to celebrate their new found identities and to "introduce" them to God as their new self.
Rev. Newlands, vicar of Lancaster Priory, is currently in a civil union with another man and has already ruffled a few feathers over the church's attitude on issues regarding sexuality.
The proposal reads: "That this Synod, recognising the need for transgender people to be welcomed and affirmed in their parish church, call on the House of Bishops to consider whether some nationally commended liturgical materials might be prepared to mark a person's gender transition."
Newlands came about the idea while speaking with a transgender church member who explained that he wishes to be rebaptized. The church teaches that one water baptism is sufficient for life; however, the church member explained that he was born in a female body and therefore baptized as female, but as he now identifies as male, he wishes to be baptized under his new name and new identity.
Andrew Symes, Executive Secretary of the Anglican Mainstream, is reluctant about the proposal passing quitely.
"The Christian faith has always taught that people are created male and female. We speak for the conservative traditional point of view. We are aware there are a number of people who want to chance from one gender to another and that's a new thing for the church to deal with. It would be something that would go against the teachings of the church up till now. It would e something that would cause controversy.
"To recognise all people is something the church should be doing but to have a service of blessing for someone to change their gender is a new idea. It's not been discussed before in the Church of England. I would need to know whether there are other agendas by the people bringing it. I would be very surprised it the diocese has passed the motion without a lot of discussion and debate."
