Your correspondent is quite wrong to conclude that the vote is in any sense a blow to the authority of Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury (C of E synod throws out bishops’ report upholding traditional views on marriage, 16 February). I was present and, as part of the often unheard middle ground, was one of the house of laity who voted against taking note of the report.

Though there has been a lot of interpretation and claims that this particular debate was about whether the church should endorse same-sex marriage, it was not. There is no realistic prospect of such a debate for some time. There is just too much work yet to be done, even in the Church in England, let alone in the wider Anglican Communion. Make no mistake, it weighs especially heavily with the bishops that if there had been such a vote then there would have been a cataclysmic falling in of the roof.

But I, and other members of synod who are not signed-up members of anything other than God’s church, felt that the tone of the report showed a desire to kick the matter into the long grass, probably well into the next synod quinquennium. The matter is just too much in the here and now for that to be good enough. Even knowing that it will still take time and much debate, we really do need to make clear that we are determined to move forward in our understanding of marriage, sexuality and several other matters of similar sensitivity with some expedition.

I doubt if anyone reacted to the archbishop’s final speech with anything other than a continued admiration for his love and determination, not least to ensure that all people – regardless of colour, class, wealth, social status or, yes, sexuality – are respected fully on a genuine, not mere token, equal basis.

I may have voted against but this has done absolutely nothing for my growing admiration for Justin’s leadership and his clear authority both in the House of Bishops, in synod, in the wider church and not least in the community as a whole.

Mike Todd

General Synod of the Church of England

• The decision to refuse to take note of the bishops’ report on marriage and same-sex relationships presents an opportunity for courage, something that is in short supply in the Church of England.

I have been lucky in knowing Una Kroll, one of the pioneers of women priests and much else. She was part of the team in my parish in south London. Then at St James Piccadilly, where I was rector, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston lived in the rectory. Both could be difficult. Both had courage in bucketfuls.

So it’s time for those bishops who are personally dismayed by the report to find that sort of courage, and be ready to break ranks and marry and ordain LGBT men and women. Why not?

Rev Donald Reeves

Director, the Soul of Europe, Crediton, Devon

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters