At an online meeting on 12 December 2023, the House of Bishops confirmed its earlier decision to commend the Prayers of Love and Faith resources for use in regular public worship, and agreed that this should take effect from Sunday 17 December 2023. The motions approved were:
- ‘That this House, having agreed at its meeting of 9 October to commend the PLF Resource Section (‘PLF RS’) for use in the minster’s discretion under Canon B 5, now resolve that the PLF RS be commended with effect from 17 December 2023 and published accordingly.’
- ‘That this House, having agreed at its meeting of 9 October to commend the Prayers for a Covenanted Friendship for use in the minster’s discretion under Canon B 5, now resolve that the Prayers for a Covenanted Friendship be commended with effect from 17 December 2023 and published accordingly.’
The first motion was agreed by 24 votes to 11, with three abstentions: the second, by 30 votes to six, with two abstentions. The final texts are available both as a downloadable resource and as text on the Church of England website. The Prayers can be used in regular scheduled services, such as a Sunday Eucharist or Evensong. The Notes to the Press Release explain that:
- Commendation (as agreed above) is when prayers or other liturgical materials are put forward by the House of Bishops as being suitable for use by ministers in exercise of their discretion under Canon B5.
- Authorisation is more formal and means that a service becomes an integral part of the official liturgical resources of the Church of England available for use.
The Prayers “offered as pastoral provision” were published together with pastoral guidance which sets out how they could be used. The House will further discuss separate proposals for special standalone services for same-sex couples to be formally authorised under canon law. It is intended that there will be wide process of consultation regarding the provision to ensure that whatever is agreed serves to promote unity and has broad support across the Church.