A spokesperson for the Diocese of Durham said: “Last year, the Church of England published a resource document encouraging local churches to take a pastoral approach to all the complex and often sensitive issues which have to be considered in the light of the Supreme Court’s April 2025 judgment concerning the legal definition of sex. This resource is kept under review. Churches in the Diocese of Durham are indeed encouraged to demonstrate care for all people while ensuring that they abide by the law in their policies and practices. The Diocese is ready and willing to support parishes as they interpret the recent EHRC guidance in their own contexts, and understands the challenges that many churches have when accommodating current legislative requirements in often historic, listed buildings.”
“Sunderland Minster had not consulted the Diocese of Durham about this matter, and Sunderland Minster and the Diocese of Durham are separate legal entities, each with their own governing board of trustees who are responsible and accountable for their own actions and communications.”