On 25th June 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:
Clergy: Freedom of Expression
Mike Wood MP (Con, Kingswinford and South Staffordshire): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance the Church of England provides to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.
Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): The Church of England does not provide specific standalone guidance to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.
On complex issues the House of Bishops may from time to time publish guidance and advice for clergy, designed to inform local response. Two main publications that include detailed theological discussion relating to gender and sexuality are ‘Some Issues in Human Sexuality’ (2003), and ‘Issues in Human Sexuality’ (1991).
More recent statements and pastoral guidance have updated the above, in particular:
• 2005 House of Bishops statement on civil partnerships for same-sex couples,
• 2014 pastoral guidance from the House of Bishops on civil same-sex marriage,
• 2019 House of Bishops statement on civil marriage for all persons,
• 2020 Living in Love and Faith book.
These are all available to view or order on the Church of England website
Following a vote of the General Synod in 2017 to welcome and affirm transgender people, the House of Bishops provided guidance in 2018 called ‘Pastoral Guidance for use in conjunction with the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith in the context of gender transition.’
Within Church of England schools, clergy and teachers are advised to align with the “Pastoral Principles”: www.churchofengland.org/about/general-synod/structure/house-bishops/pastoral-principles(opens in a new tab)
Guidance is also available in ‘Flourishing for All: Anti-bullying Guidance for Church of England Schools’ (updated April 2025): www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/education-publications/anti-bullying-guidance-church-england-schools
The Church of England in Parliament 
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