Baptisms To Mark Change In Gender?

A vicar urged the Church of England to discuss the possibility of offering ceremonies for Christians who undergo gender transition.

19:42 29 July 2015

The Reverend Chris Newlands of Lancaster and Morecambe Deanery, has proposed a motion to the General Synod, the ruling body of the Church of England, asking to debate introducing a ceremony akin to baptism for Christians who undergo gender transition.

 

The move came after a young transgender person asked to be re-baptised in his new identity. 20-year-old Nick Benn and his friends gathered at his church for a service to make his new life as a man. 

 

"For me, being part of a church community is really important - and to be who I am. So when I first came out, it was very important for me to have a service to mark that change," says Nick.

 

"And while it couldn't be another baptism, it could be an affirmation of the person I am."

 

Meanwhile, Mr Newlands said: "The reality is that transgender people are a part of our community, and if the Church can help people to make that transition well, they can be full participants in the life of the Church rather than suffering irreparable damage from people who make judgements based on ignorance.”

 

"We have to be explicit that everyone is welcome here - and that we're doing the welcome on God's behalf, and God doesn't reject, so neither should the Church."