Sexuality and informal authority in the Church of England

Abstract

This represents a five-year ethnographic study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clergy in the Church of England . Using participant observation and interviews, this research examines the sociological dimension of the church’s policies regarding clerical sexuality, specifically the relationship between the church’s official policy, which bars those in same-gender sexual relationships from ordained ministry, and the observation that a significant number of clergy fall into this category. The primary effect is a culture of deep institutional uncertainty. Clergy employ a range of strategies to reconcile with church policy, safeguard partnerships and maintain secure professional relationships. On the institutional side, supervisors negotiate responsibility to church policy, pastoral responsibilities to clergy and public perception. Ultimately, the tensions between these various roles are negotiated between clergy and supervisors in informal relationships which often employ covert uses of power and authority.