CofE service after same sex marriage?
from Law and Religion UK:
Hereford Synod vote of significance to Church of England as a whole
On the evening of Thursday 19 October 2017, the Hereford Diocesan Synod passed, by a significant majority, a resolution to request the House of Bishops to initiate the formulation of a discretionary liturgy for use following the registration of a civil partnership or a same sex marriage. Details of the Diocesan Resolution and a link to the briefing paper approved by the Bishop’s Council, reproduced below, were reported by Thinking Anglicans.
The Diocesan Resolution
‘That this Synod request the House of Bishops to commend an Order of Prayer and
Dedication after the registration of a civil partnership or a same sex marriage for use by ministers in exercise of their discretion under Canon B4, being a form of service neither contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from, the doctrine of the Church of England in any essential matter, together with guidance that no parish should be obliged to host, nor minister conduct, such a service.’
The voting was: In favour 41; Against 18; Abstentions 4.
Read also: Church of England to debate services for same-sex couples after bishop backs diocese call, Telegraph
Bishops under pressure to act as Hereford Diocese calls for official services for gay couples, Christian Today
Statement from Reform:
Reform note with deep concern the motion passed by the Hereford Diocesan Synod last night: [quotes Resolution as above].
Susie Leafe, Director of Reform said in a statement, “It is sad that there was no reference to the Bible in the briefing document provided to the members of Hereford Diocesan Synod. Their motion ignores therefore ignores the fact that Jesus was clear that marriage was a lifelong relationship between a man and a woman, and this has been, and still, is the understanding of the vast majority of the worldwide church for two millennia. To ask for a service of Prayer and Dedication for a same-sex relationship represents a fundamental departure from this teaching.
But more than this, to suggest that the House of Bishops use a similar service to that offered to those who have previously been divorced, shows a fundamental misunderstanding of grace. Jesus was clear that marriage should be lifelong – but he was also aware that we are frail human beings and that things go wrong. Any marriage service that takes place after a divorce is based on the fact that those involved accept that Jesus’ teaching about marriage is right, that they are sorry for the mistakes they have made in the past and their intention is to live differently in the future. It is hard to see how the Church can offer such a service to those who believe Jesus was wrong in his understanding of marriage and therefore see no reason to seek forgiveness or change their ways.”
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