by Gabriella Swerling, Telegraph
Some clergy are being accused of agreeing to perform the blessings at interview but changing their mind once in post
Church of England parishes are facing civil war over same-sex blessings, it has been claimed.
The blessings, for same-sex couples who have already entered a civil marriage or partnership, have been given by vicars since a vote two years ago.
But not everyone has to perform them and it has become a point of contention between liberal and conservative clergy.
It has now emerged that junior priests are being “overruled or marginalised” in their parishes by vicars who are against the blessings.
One priest complained that in some cases, vicars are promising at their interviews to offer same-sex blessings but once in post have gone back on their word. They claimed juniors are being “treated horrifically, called names and put down”.