The Archbishop of Canterbury has said boys wearing dresses is ‘not a problem’

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby speaks at a vigil outside Westminster Abbey on March 24, 2017 in London, England. Faith leaders came together for a vigil and held a one minute silence today following the terror attack on Westminster this week in which five people, including the assailant, were killed. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said boys wearing dresses to school is “not a problem”.

Earlier this month, Nigel and Sally Rowe said that unless a student at their child’s Church of England school on the Isle of Wight was stopped from wearing dresses, they would file a lawsuit.

The parents also pulled their children, aged six and eight, out of the school because authorities did not meet their demands.

Nigel and Sally Rowe

Nigel and Sally Rowe (Christian Concern)

But Archbishop Justin Welby urged them to leave other families and children to their own devices.

Speaking on LBC radio, the most senior cleric in the Church of England called for understanding instead of judgment.

“I would say to them, I don’t think that’s a problem,” he told presenter Nick Ferrari.

“The other family are making up their own minds. The other child is making up their own mind.

“Talk to your child. Help them to understand,” he urged.

“Help them to see what’s going on and to be faithful to their own convictions.”

Pope Francis (C) and Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury (L) arrive to celebrate the Vesper prayer in the Church of San Gregorio al Celio, in central Rome on October 5, 2016. / AFP / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

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The Archbishop also came out against any potential legal challenge being prepared by the Rowes.

“I would say where something like that happens I never see the point in going to law,” he said.


“I think we should try and solve these things without legal involvement, with people getting together around a table, with a mediator, to help them come to a conclusion.”

The Archbishop had been “struggling” with the issue, but said it was more important to teach your own children religious values, rather than push them on other families.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24:  The Archibishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby welcomes Queen Elizabeth II to the Tenth General Synod at Church House on November 24, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

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“Our kids went through all our schooling in the local state schools,” he explained.

“There were bits we liked and bits we didn’t like, and it’s the home where you educate and train people in following faith.”

Earlier this year, the Archbishop wrote for PinkNews to mark the 50th anniversary of partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, speaks during a ceremony in Khartoum's All Saints Cathedral on July 30, 2017.  Welby declared Sudan as the 39th province of the worldwide Anglican Communion and installed Ezekiel Kondo Kumir Kuku as the country's first archbishop and primate during the ceremony which was attended by American, European and Afrian diplomats, and hundreds of worshippers. / AFP PHOTO / ASHRAF SHAZLY        (Photo credit should read ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images)

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He told readers that gay people are not more sinful than anyone else, explaining: “Sin is not a characteristic of a particular group of people.

“Sin is the same for all of us.”

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