BBC’s standard response to complaints regarding same-sex marriage in a church featured on Songs of Praise

Aug 23, 2019 by

BBC’s standard response to complaints regarding same-sex marriage in a church featured on Songs of Praise

from Christian Concern: ‘Thank you for contacting us about Songs of Praise, broadcast on 18th August 2019. We recognise that you considered the inclusion of a same-sex wedding did not reflect your position or that of other denominations on this issue. To allow us to reply promptly to your concerns, and to ensure we use our licence fee resources as efficiently as possible, we’re sending this response to everyone. We’re sorry that for this reason we can’t reply personally to you on each...

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China’s parliament rules out allowing same-sex marriage

Aug 22, 2019 by

China’s parliament rules out allowing same-sex marriage

from Reuters: Limiting marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman will remain China’s legal position, a parliament spokesman said on Wednesday, ruling out following neighbouring Taiwan in allowing same-sex marriage, despite pressure from activists. Taiwan’s parliament passed a bill in May that endorsed same-sex marriage, after years of heated debate over marriage equality that has divided the self-ruled and democratic island. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has a...

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Australian Bishop urges his Synod to endorse gay marriage rites

Aug 8, 2019 by

Australian Bishop urges his Synod to endorse gay marriage rites

by David Ould, Anglican Ink. The Anglican Church of Australia has arrived at the crisis moment that so many of us have feared and warned about. The Melbourne Anglican reports that Bishop John Parkes of Wangaratta will ask his diocese’s upcoming synod (meeting on the weekend of August 30-31) to endorse a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex marriages and will, himself, be prepared to preside over such a service. So why this move and why now? Parkes gives his own reasons in the interview but one...

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Why MPs are rushing to impose abortion on Northern Ireland

Jul 19, 2019 by

Why MPs are rushing to impose abortion on Northern Ireland

by Simon Caldwell, Catholic Herald: It would be an understatement to say that this Parliament is among the least impressive in British history. It will be remembered most notably for its debacle over Brexit, in which it gravely damaged its own reputation and that of the country by failing even to agree on a series of indicative votes. The major parties were so out of touch with public opinion that they were subsequently hammered during the European elections. Yet they still seem clueless about...

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Canada: Anglican Church to review governance structure after same-sex marriage change fails

Jul 18, 2019 by

Canada: Anglican Church to review governance structure after same-sex marriage change fails

by Nicole Thompson, The Daily Courier: One of Canada’s largest Christian denominations will spend the next three years considering whether to change its governance structure amid outrage that just two bishops’ votes stood in the way of having same-sex marriage recognized by the Church’s laws. Some in the Anglican Church of Canada say the current system to alter doctrine and policy — which requires a two-thirds majority from three groups of delegates — unfairly gives the most...

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Northern Ireland same-sex marriage plans put free speech at risk, coalition warns

Jul 16, 2019 by

Northern Ireland same-sex marriage plans put free speech at risk, coalition warns

from Christian Today: A vote in the House of Commons to extend same-sex marriage plans leaves no guarantees for freedom of speech or worship, the Coalition for Marriage has warned. It fears that church ministers may be penalised if they refuse to conduct gay marriage services, and that public sector workers with conservative views could lose their jobs. MPs voted overwhelmingly to introduce same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland if its devolved Parliament is not restored by October 21. Stormont...

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