AGAINST SEX REPORT

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 17

AGAINST SEX REPORT

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 19. An archbishop, three bishops and three clergymen emphasised today that “the Christian Church should say plainly that sexual intercourse outside marriage is less than the best kind of loving and therefore wrong.” They issued a joint statement expressing concern about the “assumption” that there can be one set of rules for members of the Anglican Church and another set for those outside. This assumption, they said, was made in the British Council of Churches “sex and morality” report and reflected in a 8.8. C. television programme last night.

Their statement was the latest development in the controversy caused by the report, which has still to be considered by the council. The report—by a working party of clergymen, educationists, writers and doctors, representing all of the Protestant Churches—declined to make an unequivocal statement that sexual intercourse outside marriage was wrong. It said: “No law can cover all the varied and complex situations in which men and women find themselves.” Telephone Calls

When the report was discussed on the 8.8. C. programme last night viewers responded with a wave of telephone calls. In their statement today, the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. Donald Coggan, the bishops of Coventry, Blackburn and Liverpool, and the canons of Birmingham, Solihull and Worcester, said:

“One question which disturbed us is the assumption that there can be one set of rules for members of the Church and another set for those outside. “We find ourselves unable to accept this view, which is far from being in accordance with the law and the spirit of Christ.” “Therefore Wrong” The statement added: “If, as the report states, sexual intercourse is so significant that it cannot be separated from love and long-term commitment without the partners themselves and society itself suffering harm, then we believe that the Christian Church should say plainly that sexual intercourse outside marriage is less than the best kind of loving and therefore wrong. “Anything that weakens this fundamental Christian standard cannot in our view do anything but a dis-service to the personal and family life of the nation.” During the 8.8. C. discussion Canon Brian Bentley, of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, said: “A man may be in the habit of having a nice bit of crumpet on Saturday night. “But if he wants to join the church as a Christian he will have to give this up.” Canon Bentley, whose chapel holds daily services for the Royal Family, explained afterwards: “I try to use the language of the people.” Although his choice of words shocked some viewers and astonished many, the canon was critical of the report’s “permissive” attitude to sexual intercourse outside marriage.

To Separate.— The Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida and her Yugoslav-born husband, Dr Milko Skofic, will separate by mutual consent next Monday. Miss Lollobridgida, who is 38, and Dr Skofic were married 15 years ago. —Rome, October 19.