The Church of England has concluded that referring to a transgender priest as a ‘bloke’ and a ‘fella’ does not constitute offensive language.This verdict follows an extensive investigation concerning Revd Brett Murphy, who faced a clergy discipline measure for purportedly ‘misgendering’ Rachel Mann, the first transgender archdeacon in the church’s history.
Murphy, aged 38, made these remarks in June 2023 on his Anglican-themed video blog, which boasts over 14,000 subscribers.
His comments came in light of Mann's appointment as the Archdeacon for Bolton and Salford. During the video, he stated that ‘The Rev. Rachel Mann is, biologically, a bloke who identifies and lives as a woman,’ and speculated on whether this appointment was a strategic move to eventually position Revd Mann as the CofE’s first transsexual bishop.