Church of England considers holding 'baptism-style' services for transgender people

The Church of England has announced its plans to vote on holding a "baptism-style" service for members who have changed their gender.

The controversial motion will be debated at the forthcoming General Synod meeting in July, which is the Church's first meeting since the rejection of a bishop's report recommending to uphold the traditional teaching that marriage is the union between a man and a woman.

The Church's parliament will also debate on whether to condemn gay conversion therapy and re-examine its teaching on marriage.

According to Christian Today, the motion to condemn gay conversion therapy has received strong support from synod members, and proponents say it will likely face opposition from a small segment of hardline conservatives. But opponents have suggested that many middle-of-the-road synod members will also raise their concerns about the motion.

If passed, the Church would co-sign a statement from several professional bodies, including the UK Council for Psychotherapy and The Royal College of General Practitioners, to declare that sexual orientations and gender identities are not mental health disorders.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has backed the church's traditional teaching on marriage, but he had also urged Christians to repent for the "hurt and pain" the Church has inflicted on homosexuals.

The General Synod will hold a question and answer session in an effort to probe the direction the Church is taking and what Welby means by his call for "radical Christian inclusion."

Meanwhile, the Church's most senior transgender priest, Rev. Rachel Mann, welcomed the proposal to hold special services to mark a transgender person's transition.

"Trans people feel powerfully called to be recognised in their 'chosen' name. An opportunity to be publicly introduced to God is therefore significant. I think this is what the proposed liturgy aims to do," said Mann.

"It will be symbolically powerful. The extent to which it is [a form of] baptism will be debated by General Synod of course, but this liturgy is a welcome move to affirm Trans people," she continued.

Conservative Synod member Andrea Williams has expressed her dismay that the motion will even be debated by at the General Synod.

"We are sensitive to people who feel uncomfortable with their sex, but Christian teaching is that God made us man and woman. The Church should help people to see the beauty of their God-given sex instead of confusing them," said Williams, who also serves as the director of the pressure group Christian Concern.