Church Of England Refuses To Budge On Gay Marriage

Jan 27, 2017 by Jill

by Harry Farley, Christian Today:

The Church of England is resisting calls to change its teaching that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman.

After years of debate and division the CofE’s bishops have announced there “are no proposals” to change laws that prevent gay people from getting married in church and prevent clergy from entering into same-sex marriages.

But bishops insist they will offer “maximum freedom” for LGBT couples within the current laws and teaching of the Church, opening the possibility of an official service for gay couples.

The Church hierarchy has completed more than two years of private talks in a desperate attempt to heal deep rifts over its prohibition on gay marriage.

The bishops’ recommendations will cause fury from the pro-LGBT wing of the Church which wants an official “blessing” for gay relationships, even if a full endorsement of gay marriage is not possible.

But the bishops have ruled out a blessing, which would signify approval, though they have said they would offer a new teaching document on marriage and relationships that would explore what accomodation could be given to gay couples.

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General Synod Press Conference