Church of England members back same-sex marriage
By Harriet Sherwood, Guardian:
Attitudes to same-sex marriage within the pews of the Church of England are sharply at odds with the stance of its leadership, as for the first time more Anglicans are in favour of gay and lesbian couples marrying than oppose it, according to a poll.
Support for same-sex marriage among church members has significantly increased over the past three years despite the leadership’s insistence that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, and its refusal to conduct church weddings for gay couples or allow gay priests to marry.
The church’s official position was explicitly restated earlier this month at a meeting of the Anglican communion in Canterbury that exposed deep divisions within the global and national church on the issue. Some believe the gulf between conservatives and liberals within the church is unbridgeable.
A poll conducted in the aftermath of the Canterbury meeting found 45% of people who define themselves as Church of England approve of same-sex marriage, compared with 37% who believe it is wrong. A similar survey three years ago found almost the reverse: 38% of Anglicans in favour and 47% opposed.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
